Berlin Square. Berlin message. Berlin Cathedral
Berlin is the capital of Germany, the largest city in the country. Of all the cities in the European Union, Berlin Germany is second only to London in terms of population. It is the fifth largest city in the European Union in terms of area. This is a modern, dynamically developing metropolis, which is one of the cultural and economic centers of the European Union. In Europe Berlin known as a city of students, avant-garde art and freedom. The city of Berlin was previously divided into Western and Eastern parts by a 160-kilometer wall, which was destroyed in 1989, after which Berlin Germany became a single city.
City of Berlin (Germany): a few interesting facts:
The population of Berlin is almost 3.5 million inhabitants.
Berlin is a multinational city - people of 184 nationalities live in it. Interestingly, more Turks live in Berlin than in any other city (with the exception of Turkey itself);
In total, there are 118 settlements in the world bearing the name "Berlin";
There are 2 versions of the origin of the name of the German capital. According to the first of them, the name of the city comes from the German "Bär", which sounds like "bear" in translation. There is even an image of this animal on the coat of arms of Berlin. According to the second version, Berlin owes its name to the Slavic word "berl" ("swamp").
In 1924, the first traffic light was installed in the German capital.
It was also in Berlin in 1878 that the first public toilets originally intended exclusively for men. Since 1895, they have become available to women.
Berliners are the signature delicacy of the German capital - round donuts without a hole, sprinkled with powdered sugar, stuffed with confiture inside. According to legend, the Berliners were baked by a local baker who was not hired by the artillery for health reasons. Then he came up with donuts, shaped like cannonballs.
Berlin is home to the largest chocolate house in the world.
Berlin capital of Germany - city of bridges
City of Berlin, like Venice, is famous for its bridges. At the same time, the number of Berlin bridges significantly exceeds the number of bridges located in Venice. Two rivers flow through the German capital at once (Havel and Spree), which explains the huge number and scale of Berlin bridges, of which there are a total of 1,700 pieces. Many of them are unique architectural structures and serve as local attractions.
Touristic Berlin
The city of Berlin attracts foreign tourists with its rich cultural heritage. There are more than one hundred and seventy museums in the German capital. Arriving travelers should be aware that there is no traditional numbering of apartments and private houses in the city. Instead of a number, private property is assigned the name of its owner, which is subsequently used as identification information. The city of Berlin is a fairly green settlement - the total area of its squares and parks is 5.5 thousand hectares, which, together with city canals, rivers and lakes, is about 30% of its territory.
Style, ease and lightness reign in Berlin. Too many grandiose and at the same time tragic events took place in the German capital - the announcement of the Third Reich, Nazi pogroms, almost complete destruction by bombing, half a century of division into Western and Eastern parts. Now the city seems to be resting and is happy to write its history anew.
The districts of Berlin are not at all similar to each other. In the historical central part, the gloomy bulks of the Reichstag and the palaces of the Museum Island rise. The trendy eastern quarters are home to interesting restaurants, stylish clubs and art spaces. The best shops of the city are located on the Kurfürstendamm boulevard.
Berlin, of course, is not as elegant and ceremonial as other European capitals, but it has its own soul, which is gradually revealed to the traveler.
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What to see and where to go in Berlin?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
1. Brandenburg Gate
An important architectural monument of Berlin with a special symbolic meaning. In 1871, a solemn procession of Prussian regiments passed through the gate, which marked the declaration of the German Empire. In 1933, the famous Nazi torchlight procession took place here and the "Thousand Year Reich" was proclaimed. After the Second World War, the Brandenburg Gate became the border of the division of Germany into West and East.
2. Reichstag
The Reichstag was the seat of the German Legislative Assembly during the German Empire, the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich. The modern German parliament also holds meetings in the Reichstag. The building itself is built in a very pompous and somewhat overwhelming manner, which, according to the plan of the architects, was supposed to emphasize the greatness of the Empire. Everything in the Reichstag seems huge and incomprehensible - columns, gray facades, a grandiose glass dome.
3. Berlin Wall
The wall, which, following the results of the Second World War, divided Berlin into zones of influence of the two main opponents - the military blocs of the Warsaw Pact and NATO. The wall stood for almost 30 years and became a symbol of the Cold War. It was a real border with checkpoints and guards. After the fall of the Wall and the unification of Germany in 1989, its fragments were gradually taken away for souvenirs. It was decided to save some fragments of the structure as a monument.
4. Berlin Cathedral
The largest Protestant church in Germany, located within the Museum Island. The cathedral was erected in the era of Kaiser Wilhelm II and was conceived as a German counterpart to St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican. The building simply dazzles with its solemn and majestic architecture. It looks like it was built by giants. From the observation deck of the temple offers an excellent panoramic view of Berlin.
5. Charlottenburg
Palace of the late 17th century in the Baroque style, a gift from King Frederick I to his wife Sophia Charlotte of Hanover. After the construction was completed, it immediately began to be used as a royal residence. In front of the palace there is a park in the classical traditions of French and English landscape art. At first, the building was called Litzenburg, but after the death of the queen, it was renamed in her honor.
6. Spandau Citadel
A 17th-century fortress on the outskirts of Berlin, built during the reign of Joachim II. At the beginning of the 20th century, weapons and ammunition were made on the territory of Spandau. In 1935, a secret Nazi laboratory was placed here, where they developed chemical weapons. The last secret warehouse was found in the 70s. Tourists were admitted to the territory in 1992, after the final "defrost" of the facility.
7. Bellevue Palace
The building is located in the Tiergarten park. It is used as the residence of the President of Germany. During the German Empire, Bellevue belonged to the ruling family and was used as the summer palace of one of the princes. After the fall of the monarchy, he became the property of the state, in 1935 the Museum of Applied Arts was located on the territory. You can only get inside the building at certain times once a week.
8. Köpenick Palace
The palace, standing on the site of an ancient fortress (presumably built by the Slavs). In the 16th century, Köpenick was a more modest building and was used as a hunting castle for Elector Joachim II. In the 17th century, the palace was expanded and a park was laid out on the adjacent territory. Nowadays, the building houses the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts. Concerts are held in the square in front of the palace in summer.
9. Red Town Hall
The Red Town Hall is the seat of the city government and the Berlin burgomaster. It is a Neo-Renaissance building with elements of the Neo-Gothic style. late XIX centuries. As a result of the bombing of Berlin in 1945, the building was badly damaged, and a long restoration was required. Interestingly, the main halls of the town hall can be rented for private events.
10. Ka-De-Ve
Six-storey store of the beginning of the 20th century. As his permanent slogan, he uses the call “Come, look, be surprised!”. Despite its rather respectable age, the department store offers the best service and a wide variety of goods in almost all price categories. In terms of significance and prestige for the Germans, it can be compared with London's Harrods. In Ka-De-Ve it is impossible to stumble upon a fake or buy a low-quality item.
11. Alexanderplatz
The area where early XIX century, Kaiser Wilhelm III received Emperor Alexander I. The place was named after the Russian monarch. On the square there is a city hall, a modern TV tower, a fountain of Friendship of Peoples. Until the 17th century, there was a cattle market and a place for the execution of criminals. The houses surrounding the square were mainly inhabited by butchers, cattlemen, merchants, and shepherds. In the XVIII century, the list of permanent residents was replenished with artisans and petty bourgeois.
12. Potsdamer Platz
Parade ground in the Tiergarten area on the site of the destroyed Potsdam Gate. Before the bombing of World War II, a well-maintained quarter adjoined the square - a popular place for leisure and recreation for Berliners. Everything was destroyed and turned into ruins, nothing of the historical buildings survived. Today, modern high-rise buildings rise around the square, where the offices of large corporations are located.
13. Gendarmenmarkt
One of the most beautiful squares in Berlin. The main architectural ensemble consists of three buildings: the German and French cathedrals and a concert hall located in the middle. All three structures are designed in strict tones. classical style. In December, a Christmas tree is set up on the Gendarmenmarkt and a fair begins to operate. Festive lights are lit on the facades of cathedrals and the Concert Hall.
14. Berlin State Opera
The very first opera house was built in the middle of the 18th century. During the Second World War, it was destroyed twice - during the bombing of 1941 and 1945. Restoration work was carried out until 1955. The renewed opera stage opened with a production of The Nuremberg Meistersingers, the immortal work of the German musical genius Richard Wagner.
15. Madame Tussauds
Berlin branch of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Located on the boulevard Unten der Linden. Here you can see copies of Otto von Bismarck, A. Einstein, Ludwig Beethoven, K. Marx. Of the more modern exhibits - Angela Merkel, Johnny Depp, Rihanna, Madonna and many other famous characters. Particular attention is drawn to the figure of Hitler behind the glass wall. The sinister Fuhrer is depicted at the moment of making the decision to commit suicide.
16. Museum Island
Berlin's large Museum Quarter, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five museums are located here: Old National Gallery, Bode Museum, Old and New Museums, Pergamon Museum. Extensive expositions tell about history from primitive times to the present day, hundreds of paintings by masters from different countries, schools and periods are exhibited in numerous art galleries.
17. Topography of terror
Memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Nazi regime. It is located on the territory where the headquarters of the SS and SD were located. The complex is a whole group of expositions, memorials, open-air exhibitions, preserved administrative buildings of the Third Reich, cellars and barracks. The Topography of Terror began work in 1987. The total exposition area is more than 800 m².
18. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Monument in honor of the Jews killed by the Nazis. The memorial complex has a rather interesting and unusual architectural design, which accurately conveys the atmosphere of horror that reigned in Germany after Hitler came to power. The memorial consists of several rows of nameless gray tombstones of various sizes. They seem to form a labyrinth and symbolize death and hopelessness.
19. Neue Wahe
Germany's main memorial dedicated to all victims of war and tyranny. It is a sculpture of a mother with a murdered son in her arms. Neue Wahe appeared at the beginning of the 19th century and, according to the idea of the king, was supposed to serve as a monument to those killed in the Napoleonic wars. In those years and until the end of the 20th century, it was a guardhouse with an honorary guard. The sculpture was installed in 1993 on the initiative of Chancellor G. Kohl.
20. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Temple of the late XIX century, built in honor of the first Kaiser of the united German Empire, Wilhelm I. The building was badly damaged by bombing, only part of the western tower remained from it. In the 60s. a modern building was erected near the tower. It was assumed that the new building would form a harmonious ensemble with the remains of the church. Inside it is a 4.6-meter figure of Christ.
21. Church of St. Nicholas
The oldest church in Berlin. It is believed that it appeared in the XIII century. Services were held here until 1938. As a result of the destruction during the war, only the outer walls remained of the church. After restoration in 1981, the building began to be used as a concert hall and as a platform for exhibitions. The construction is a building in a typical "Protestant" style with laconic forms and sharp spiers of towers.
22. Church of St. Mary
An old functioning Lutheran church not far from the Berlin TV tower. The history of the church began in the XIII century, since then it has repeatedly burned and rebuilt. Like many historical buildings, St. Mary's Church was rebuilt after the war in the 60s and 70s. XX century. Inside the temple there is an organ, which I.S. himself played. Bach. On Sundays, during the service, you can enjoy the performance of the church choir.
23. New Synagogue
Jewish temple of the middle of the XIX century. Surprisingly, the Wehrmacht authorities did not destroy it, but simply closed it in 1940, and the premises were adapted for storage. The synagogue also survived the bombardments, although it was significantly damaged. After the war, the temple was decided not to be restored, since almost all Jews - potential parishioners were killed under Hitler. The building was demolished in 1958, leaving only the facade. After the unification of Germany, the synagogue was restored.
24. Checkpoint Charlie
An iconic and iconic place on Friedrichstrasse, a symbol of confrontation between two irreconcilable enemies of the Cold War - the USSR and the USA. After the division of Germany, the border passed here and a military checkpoint was organized. It was at Checkpoint Charlie that the tank confrontation took place during the Berlin Crisis of 1958-1962, during which the world came close to nuclear war.
25. Berlin TV Tower
The TV tower is over 360 meters high. Builds in fourth place among the tallest TV towers in Europe. Started working in 1969. In sunny weather, the shape of a cross is reflected on the ball crowning the structure (probably from a nearby church). This fact is associated with the speculation that the architect was interrogated in the relevant authorities, allegedly for the deliberate design of the cross.
26. Berlin Zoo
Zoological garden in the Tiergarten with total area 25 Ha. 1500 species of animals are represented here (15 thousand individuals in total). The zoo was opened in the middle of the 19th century for the Prussian King Wilhelm IV. Gradually, access was allowed to mere mortals. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Berlin Zoo was considered one of the most advanced and modern zoological gardens. During the war, a bomb hit the territory, and out of almost 4,000 animals, only about a hundred survived.
27. Treptow Park
A park on the banks of the Spree River, where there is a large memorial complex in honor of the Soviet soldiers-liberators. The central monument of the park is an 8-meter figure of a soldier with a sword and a little girl in her arms. The Alley of Sarcophagi leads to the statue, where the remains of several thousand soldiers lie in five mass graves. Parts of the Reichstag facade were used to make the alley slabs.
28. Botanical Garden
The garden was laid out in the 19th century and at first served as a recreation area. Over time, it became a research center. At the moment, several thousand plants grow here, among which there are many exotic and not typical specimens for these latitudes. There are several greenhouses in the Botanical Garden, where a rich variety of exotic flowers, cacti, ferns and other species is presented.
29. Boulevard Unter den Linden
One of the most famous streets in Berlin, the local "Broadway" and the center of the fashionable life of the capital. Famous city sights are located along the boulevard. Unter den Linden starts at the palace square and leads to the Brandenburg Gate. Back in the 18th century, the boulevard became the hallmark of Prussia. The local nobility liked to arrange evening promenades along the picturesque linden alleys.
30. Greater Tiergarten Park
A green oasis in the city center where you can admire nature and enjoy the tranquility. There are dozens of paths, well-groomed alleys, cozy pavilions and benches in the Tiergarten. In the center of the park stands the grandiose Triumphal Column, which symbolizes the might of the German nation. AT summer time on the numerous lawns, people sunbathe or simply relax in the generous shade of the trees.
Berlin (Germany) - a detailed travel guide with photos and a map. The main sights of Berlin and useful information for travel and leisure.
City of Berlin (Germany)
Getting Around the City
Berlin is a huge city. To get around, you need to use well-developed public transport: buses, trams, trains and metro. Taxi services are also slightly cheaper than in many other major cities in Central Europe.
Berlin uses a zonal system, but it is unlikely that you will have to go beyond zones A and B, except for trips to Potsdam or the airport. Public transport uses a general ticket. Standard ticket is valid 2 hours after validation. There is a cheap ticket that is valid for three U-Bahn or S-Bahn stops. Each ticket must be validated on a special device (to stamp the date and time). Trams mainly run in East Berlin.
Gastronomy
Berlin is a major gastronomic center: expensive restaurants, cozy cafes and bars, noisy and cheerful clubs, catering points. From food worth trying are pfannkuchen (doughnuts), currywurst (curry sausage), döner (bread with salad and meat). Food in Berlin is incredibly cheap compared to any other capital. Western Europe or other cities in Germany. Cuisine from different cultures is represented here, although it is often modified to suit German tastes.
One of the main tourist areas for food is Hackescher Markt / Oranienburger Straße, Kastanienallee. It is customary to leave a tip in the amount of 5-10% of the bill.
Shopping and shopping
Berlin is one of the centers of shopping in Europe. Main shopping areas:
- Ku "Damm and Tauentzienstraße - many branded stores
- KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westens) at Wittenbergplatz
- Schloss-strasse (Steglitz), Wilmersdorfer Strasse (Charlottenburg), Schönhauser Allee (Prenzlauer Berg), Carl-Schurz-Strasse (Spandau) and Karl-Marx-Strasse (Neukölln) are shopping streets.
- Friedrichstraße is a major shopping street in East Berlin.
Large shopping centers:
- Alexa (Alexanderplatz/Mitte)
- Potsdamer Platz Arkaden (Potsdamer Platz/Mitte)
- Mallof Berlin (Leipziger Platz/Mitte)
- Gesundbrunnen-Center(Gesundbrunnen Station/Wedding)
- Gropius Passagen(Britz)
- Linden Center (Hohenschönhausen, Spandau-Arkaden (Spandau)
- Schloss(Schlossstrasse/Steglitz)
- ForumSteglitz (Schlossstrasse/Steglitz)
- Ring Center (Friedrichshain)
Districts of Berlin
- Mitte is the historic center of Berlin, the core of the former East Berlin and the new city centre. Cafes, restaurants, museums, galleries and clubs abound throughout the area, as well as many attractions of cultural interest.
- West Berlin (Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Schöneberg, Tiergarten) - restaurants, hotels, shops, palaces.
- East Berlin Center (Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg) is a bustling youth area: cafes, bars, clubs. This is a district of artists and other creative intelligentsia, and a large Turkish diaspora lives here.
- North Berlin (Spandau and Reinickendorf) - interesting architecture and luxurious villas of the former leaders of the GDR.
- East Berlin (Lichtenberg, Hohenschonghausen, Marzan, Hellersdorf) - the true atmosphere of the GDR: high-rise buildings, several parks.
- South Berlin (Steglitz, Seelendorf, Tempelhof) - areas of contrasts: green and rich Seelendorf and poor Neukölln (New Cologne).
Museums
Berlin is a city of museums. There are more than fifty different museums and galleries here. Most of them are paid. If you plan to devote a lot of time to museums, we recommend buying a special three-day museum card for 24 euros. It gives you the opportunity to visit the expositions of almost all museums in Berlin for three days. Attention: museums are usually closed on Monday.
The most interesting museums in Berlin:
Museum Island is one of the largest and most famous museum complexes in Europe. The ensemble of the museum island includes:
- The Pergamon Museum is one of the largest museums in Berlin, containing extensive collections of ancient Greek, ancient oriental and Islamic art and history.
- Old Museum - Egyptian collection and old antiques.
- Old National Gallery - German painting of the 19th century.
- The Bode Museum is a rich collection of sculptures and Byzantine art.
- Neuss Museum - Egyptian collection, archaeological finds.
The Cultural Forum is another museum complex located near Postdam Square. Among its museums we recommend:
- Art gallery - thousands of paintings of the 13th-18th centuries, including masterpieces by Durer, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt.
- New National Gallery - Art of the 20th century.
- Museum of Musical Instruments.
Other museums:
- Museum Charlottenburg - palace and museum complex
- Dahlem Museum - collections of European culture, Asian art and ethnography.
- German Historical Museum.
- Jewish Museum.
- The Berlin Gallery is the city's museum of contemporary art, design and architecture.
- Memorial complex "Berlin Wall".
- Brandenburg Museum - museum of history and culture of Berlin
Bode Museum Sights of Berlin
Berlin is a city rich in attractions and beautiful architecture, despite the fact that there are not many old buildings and historical monuments here.
Sacred architecture: churches and temples
Berlin Cathedral is the largest and one of the most beautiful churches in Berlin. The cathedral is located near Museum Island. It was built in the 19th century and is a symbol of the greatness of the German Empire. For 7 euros you can climb the dome and enjoy a wonderful view of Berlin.
Kaiser Wilhelm Church - the ruins of a church built in the late 19th century. The remains of a high bell tower are located between two modern buildings and are a reminder of the Second World War.
Church of St. Mary in Berlin Church of St. Mary's is one of the oldest churches in Berlin, located in the historic center near Alexanderplatz. The tower, 90 meters high, is the tallest among the city's religious buildings. The entrance to the church is free. The inside contains many antique pieces of art.
Church of St. Nicholas - a brick Gothic church of the 13th century, the oldest religious building in Berlin. The height of the towers is 84 meters. Interestingly, now the building is not a religious building. This is one of the branches of the Brandenburg Museum.
Cathedral of St. Jadwigi is an 18th century neoclassical Catholic church, significantly rebuilt in the 1950s after being destroyed during World War II.
The New Synagogue is a beautiful Moorish-style structure built in the 19th century. Central religious building Jewish community Berlin.
In the eastern part of the historic center, you can find the ruins of a Gothic Franciscan abbey, destroyed in 1945.
Top attractions in Berlin
The Berlin TV Tower is the tallest building in Berlin and all of Germany. The height of the TV tower is 386 meters. Located in the historical center at Alexanderplatz. At an altitude of 204 meters, there is an observation deck with a stunning panorama of Berlin.
The Reichstag building (Bundestag) is the building of the German Parliament. A massive building from the late 19th century with a beautiful glass dome that offers a breathtaking view of Berlin. In 1945, our troops hoisted the Banner of Victory on it, which became one of the symbols of the feat of our people in the Great patriotic war.
The Victory Column is a 60 meters high monument built in the second half of the 19th century. At the top there is a panoramic observation deck. To get to it you need to overcome 285 steps.
A very popular observation deck is the 100-meter Kollhoff Tower on Postdamer Platz. It has the fastest elevator in Europe.
The Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of Berlin and one of its main attractions. They were built at the end of the 18th century in the style of classicism. They are the only city gates of Berlin that have survived to this day. Located on Paris Square.
The Berlin Wall is one of the symbols of the Cold War. A 155-kilometer fence that divided Berlin into two parts: eastern and western. It was built in the 60s of the 20th century on the initiative of the GDR. The Berlin Wall was dismantled in 1989. A large section of the wall has been preserved in the eastern part of the city along the river Spree.
The Berlin Opera is one of the oldest and largest musical theaters in Germany, founded in the middle of the 18th century.
The Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion) is a sports facility, a football stadium with a capacity of more than 70 thousand spectators, capable of also holding athletics competitions. It is the home arena of the Hertha football club.
One of the most beautiful and oldest fountains in Berlin, the Neptune Fountain, is located on Alexanderplatz. This is a large granite fountain with an interesting sculptural composition.
Nearby is the building of the Red Town Hall. This historic red brick building was built in the second half of the 19th century in an interesting mixture of Gothic and Renaissance. The height of the town hall tower is 74 meters.
A short message about Berlin will tell you a lot useful information about the capital of Germany and about the main sights of the city. Also, a message about the city of Berlin can be used in preparation for a geography lesson.
Message about Berlin
Berlin is the capital of Germany and the largest city in the country, which is famous throughout the world for its history. The capital takes the 2nd place in the European Union (after London) in terms of population. It is located in the northeast of the country, stretching along the banks of the rivers Havel and Spree.
Climate of Berlin
The city is dominated by a moderate type of climate, which combines the features of continental and maritime. The average temperature fluctuates between 9-10 0 C. 600 mm of precipitation falls here annually. The coldest month is January. His average temperature about 0 0 C. But the warmest months are July and August, the average temperature of which is 18-20 0 C. The winter is mild, and the snow cover is unstable. Western winds prevail. Also note that the capital is located in the valley, which was formed between the moraine hills during the Ice Age. This largely determined the climate in Berlin.
Brief History of Berlin
Since ancient times, Berlin has been a multicultural city. In the pre-Christian era, this territory was occupied by Slavic, Germanic and Frankish tribes. By European standards, Berlin is a fairly young city: it arose in the 14th century after the unification of the town of Cologne (it was located on the Spree River) and the city of Berlin (it occupied the eastern bank of the Spree).
In the 15th century, the Margraviate of Brandenburg was founded, in which Berlin was the main residence of the Hohenzollerns (until the 20th century). The Thirty Years' War began in the 17th century. After her, the city lost half of its population. In 1701, King Frederick I gave Berlin the status of the capital of Prussia. By the way, it is known that until the 17th century Berlin was a small city with a population of only 10,000 inhabitants.
In subsequent years, Berlin passed into the possession of different countries: in 1760 it was taken by Russian troops, in 1806 by Napoleon's troops, in 1813 the city was again occupied by Russians. Only in 1871 it was proclaimed the capital of the newly created German Empire.
After the end of the First World War in 1919, Berlin was the capital of the Weimar Republic, and in 1933 of Nazi Germany. Second World War severely destroyed the city and after its completion, Berlin was divided into 4 sectors between the winners. In the 60s, due to the confrontation between the major powers of the USA and the USSR, the capital was divided into 2 parts, between which the famous Berlin Wall was erected. It was destroyed only in 1989, and after 2 years the city again became the capital of a united Germany.
Administrative division
Berlin is divided into 12 administrative districts, independent of each other. Each district is divided into 96 districts. Schöneberg, the Bavarian Quarter and other static territories belong to unofficial administrative units.
Sights of Berlin
Among the main attractions of the city it is worth highlighting: Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, Oak Gallery, Museum ancient history, Reichstag, St. Mary's Church, museum island.
- People live in Berlin 184 nationalities. Also, there are more Turks living in the city than in Turkey itself.
- Around the world, there are 118 settlements that bear the name "Berlin".
- Berlin has the largest Train Station in Europe.
- Berlin is nine times the size of Paris.
- Berlin is the only city in the world with 3 active opera houses. The auditoriums of the Berliner Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin and Komische Oper can accommodate a total of 4,411 spectators.
- In 1924, a first European traffic light.
- The capital is home to the tallest structure in all of Germany and Europe, the Berliner Fernzehturn television tower.
- In the city in 1878, the first public toilets intended only for men appeared. In 1895, toilets were made available to women as well.
- In the capital of Germany is the largest chocolate house in the world.
We hope that the message about Berlin helped you to prepare for the lesson, and you learned a lot of useful information about the largest German city. And you can leave your short story about Berlin in Russian through the comment form below.
Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the 16 lands Federal Republic Germany. Berlin is the largest city in the country and has a population of 4.8 million in its metropolitan area and 3.6 million expats within the city. Berlin popular due to historical association as the German capital of tolerance and an international metropolis. It is also associated with a vibrant nightlife, a variety of cafes, street art and a huge number of museums, palaces, which perfectly give an idea of the history of this place. The architecture here is very diverse. Although many buildings were badly damaged during the war, the city was reconstructed very quickly.
Climate of Berlin
The climate of Berlin is temperate continental, with cool winters, in which the average temperature is around freezing, and moderately warm summers, when daytime temperatures hover around 24°C. The city is exposed to both cold and warm air masses, so both weather and temperature are highly variable. In the warm season, from late April to August, daytime thunderstorms are possible.Brief history of Berlin
Berlin is located in the northeastern part of Germany, it is considered one of the largest capitals in Europe and a major center of politics, media, science and culture. The city was founded in 1304 thanks to the unification of the two settlements. In 1453, Prince Frederick II began the construction of his new royal palace, despite the protests of the inhabitants. It was a dark period for Berlin, suffering again and again from war, disease and fire. Finally, under the rule of Friedrich Wilhelm, he experienced prosperity and economic and political stability. At the same time, the city was heavily fortified and the first extravagant buildings were built. When Prince Frederick III was crowned as King of Prussia, the city received the status of the King's residence and was declared the capital of Prussia. At this time, many famous buildings appeared. In 1872, the German Empire was founded, and Berlin was declared its capital under the command of the German emperor. From 1872 to 1896 the population increased from 800,000 to over 1.6 million inhabitants. After the defeat in the war, the ruler was forced to go into exile. After the First World War, Germany had serious problems, and after this crisis, Germany's first republic emerged. Overcoming all odds, the city prospered and developed into a renowned cultural metropolis. In 1934, the darkest chapters in history for this region began. Hitler seized power. Shortly thereafter, he initiated a persecution program communist parties, political opponents and Jews. Germany had lost the war, and the consequences were insurmountable. Berlin was in ruins and its population had almost halved. The victorious allied powers divided the city into four sectors, each of which is controlled by one of the powers. In October, in the early 90s, Berlin was re-elected the capital of Germany after its official reunification.Sights of Berlin
Berlin might be one of the most interesting cities in Europe to explore. There are plenty of places to visit here, from museums to unique bars. Even an ordinary walk through the streets of the city will give tourists an unforgettable experience.Reichstag
The Reichstag is home to the country's parliament, the Bundestag, and an elevator ride to the roof offers breathtaking views of the city and close-ups of Foster's modern glass dome. You can take a free audio guide and learn about the surrounding sights, the building and the work of the parliament. Glass here symbolizes political transparency.
Walk through the East Gallery
A colorful monument to freedom, the East Gallery is located along the Spree River and is the longest part of the Berlin Wall, or rather what remains of it. Shortly after its fall in November, more than 100 artists from all over the world turned the place into an open-air gallery featuring statements about the world and other nations, dominated by political slogans and inspirational phrases.
Architecture on Museum Island
Museum Island is a complex of museums that collectively enjoy World Heritage status. While you will need to pay an entrance fee to view the artifacts inside, walking around the island to explore the magnificent architecture costs nothing.
Holocaust memorial
The Holocaust Memorial consists of a giant field of stelae - 2711 sarcophagi concrete slabs, differing in height on undulating soil.
Picnic in the park
During the summer, Berliners flock to their favorite parks to sunbathe, picnic and enjoy a range of beers. Tiergarten- extensive central city park with many paths, ponds and romantic corners. Tempelhofer Park, a former airport turned into a public park. Mauerpark is another great place, especially on Sundays when there is a flea market and outdoor karaoke.
Accommodation in Berlin
Spandauer-Vorstadt is located above the Spree between Friedrichstraße and Alexanderplatz. It was an eighteenth-century suburb that today serves as the main center of Berlin and is the heart of the Mitte district. This is the most obvious area to stay in the city. There is a good selection of hostels and boutique hotels here - all within walking distance of many of the attractions in the center and close to good restaurants and nightlife.For those who want to be in the city a little longer than the weekend or prefer a quieter, less touristy but equally great residential area, Prenzlauer Berg is a good choice. It was built in the nineteenth century as a place for the working class. Modern refurbished buildings and beautiful cobbled streets create an inviting Alt Berlin ambiance that is loved by wealthy creative types and middle-class families. They gravitate towards laid-back squares like Helmholtzplatz and Kollwitzplatz.
How to get to Berlin
Schönefeld Airport is located 19 km from the city center, southeast of the city. It is mainly used by charter and low cost airlines. But the largest carriers Aeroflot and TAP Portugal also go there.The opening of Brandenburg International Airport (BER) is scheduled for late 2017. Will be closed after opening former airports Schoenefeld (SXF) and Tegel (TXL). With a projected annual passenger flow of around 34 million, Brandenburg will become one of the fifteen busiest airports in Europe.
