Berlin
“alternative and eccentric”
Going back to the 12th Century, Berlin is rich in history, especially during WWII and the Cold War.
The place to be
The name Berlin has its roots in the language of West Slavic inhabitants of the area of today’s Berlin and comes from the word berl meaning swamp.
Hi! My name is…
Since the “Ber” at the beginning sounds like the German word Bär (“bear”), this animal appears in the city’s coat of arms and all around the city as Buddy Bears, painted, life-size fiberglass bear sculptures.
Bärlin
This is not just a prominent landmark in Berlin but the symbol of Germany, representing its reunification. It was constructed where a former city gate once stood, designating the beginning of the route leading from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg an der Havel. On top of the gate is a sculpture of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, on a chariot drawn by four horses. This quadriga was taken by Napoleon to Paris after the 1806 Prussian defeat and restored to Berlin after Napoleon’s defeat in 1814.
A symbol of unity
Brandenburger Tor is located at Pariser Platz. The name commemorates the victory in the Battle of Paris during the War of the Sixth Coallition which forced Napoleon to abdicate and go into exile.
More than a symbol
Next to Brandenburg Gate is one of the most luxurious hotels in Germany. Notable guests include Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and John D. Rockefeller, Charlie Chaplin, Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, among many more.
Lux
Built in the 13th Century, St. Mary’s Church was one of the few large churches that could still be used in Berlin after WWII. The TV-Tower, on the other hand, was built in 1969 by the government of East Germany and was a symbol of Communist power. Today it is a symbol of reunified Berlin. It is the tallest structure in Germany and, at the time it was built, was the 4th tallest in the world.
Something old, something new
Built in the 1890s, this church was severely destroyed in 1943 during WWII by allied bombings.
Hauntingly beautiful
Prussia was a German state that became a great power in Europe during the 18th and 19th century. It became the leader of the German Empire when the German states united in 1871. Its national colors were black and white with the black eagle as part of its coat of arms.
Preußen
Partially destroyed by the allied bombings, the facade stills bears the bullet holes from the Battle of Berlin at the end of WWII.
The scars of war
The cathedral’s original interior was restored by 2002. Visitors are allowed to go up to the dome.
The dome
Formerly the main residence of the House of Hohenzollern from 1443 and expanded in 1713, it was damaged during WWII, and demolished by the East German authorities in 1950. In the 1970s, the East German Palace of the Republic was built in its location only to be also demolished after German reunification and the Berlin Palace was reconstructed beginning in 2013 and completed in 2020.
The Palace
Located inside the Berliner Schloss, the Humboldt Forum houses a collection of ethnological items from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. There’s currently much debate about the acquisition of these items, many which were stolen. Do you think they should be returned to their original location?
The world
In the pre-colonial period from the 16th to the early 18th century, the German word Mohr (moor) was frequently used to refer to people with dark skin. In light of present re-examinations of European colonial history, a change of name has been suggested. Sometimes, bypassers will draw two dots on top of the letter “o”, changing its name and meaning to Möhrenstraße, literally “Carrot Street.”
Colonialism
Or is it? Below this perfectly normal looking parking lot lies the bunker where Hitler hid during his last days and committed suicide. Apart from a small sign, there’s nothing to mark this place. This was done intentionally, as a way of anti-commemorating this site.
Nothing to see here
Germany is very open about the atrocities committed during WWII and this is one of its most iconic memorials. Commemorating the approximately 6 million Jews that were killed during the Holocaust with 2711 concrete stelae, you can fully immerse in this memorial where feelings of uncertainty, darkness, and drowning can be experienced.
6 million
This little guy was the green light for pedestrian traffic lights in former East Germany. He was so popular, that even after reunification he can still be found in many street crossings and even has his own official merch store.
The little green man
Present-day Berlin is a relatively new city since it was separated into east and west and only reunified in 1990.
Two Berlins
This is the world famous Checkpoint Charlie. It was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. If you don’t know which side of Berlin you’re standing on, take a look at McDonald’s. It’s located on what was the American sector.
Check it out
Many believe that the American soldier in the picture was on duty at the gate during the night the wall fell, but he wasn’t. He played tuba for the departing troops and was not stationed at Checkpoint Charlie that night. His picture was selected just because. And no, his name was not Charlie (it was Jeff.)
Charlie who?
Checkpoint Charlie takes its name from the NATO phonetic alphabet: Checkpoint A (Alpha) near Helmstedt, Checkpoint B (Bravo) near Dreilinden, and Checkpoint C (Charlie) at Friedrichstraße. This sign is a replica, the real one is at the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie.
The sign
The building of the German parliament, also known as the Bundestag was finished in 1894 in Neo-Renaissance style. It was an important target during WWII due to its symbolism.
Lawful
Visitors are allowed in the rooftop of the parliament building and take part of guided tours, but demand is high so better book in advance.
Dome
The glass dome atop the federal parliament building symbolizes transparency and openness in the German government after World War II.
Let’s be crystal clear
Known as “Goldelse” by Berliners, the Victory Column was completed on 1873 and commemorates the Prussian victory in the Second Schleswig War, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War.
Golden
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Views
Built in 1976 in pop-art architectural style, its name refers to its intended gastronomical use (Bier) and its brush (Pinsel) shape. It’s currently under renovation and will reopen on 2025.
Pop
So what about Berlin’s night life? There’s a great variety of options from bars, to clubs, from restaurants, to cafés. Klunkerkranich is a great rooftop bar in Neukölln for watching the sunset with some drinks.
Time for fun
Another great option for sunset lovers. This field is located at the site of the former Tempelhof Airport, one of the world’s oldest operating commercial airports. It’s also well-known for being part of the Berlin Airlift (Berliner Luftbrücke) between 1948 and 1949 during the Cold War, when West Berlin was blocked and food and supplies could only be delivered by air.
Chilling
The oldest café in Hackescher Markt, and one of the coolest in all of Berlin!
Cinematic
Founded in 2004 and located in a former heating plant, Berghain is considered the world capital of techno and the most exclusive techno club in Berlin. Its name is a portmanteau of the district names Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.
Rave
The queue for Berghain can go up to 8 hours. For other clubs in Berlin it’s usually about 2-3 hours.
Lange Warteschlange
If you’re not up for the (extremely) long queue and the (severely) strict door policy, the Panorama bar is an alternative.
Blau
Ever been to a bar with a huge DVD collection and where film events also take place? And this is just one of the many alternative bars in Berlin. It’s not all about techno.
I bet you look good on the dance floor
This is the place for indie and pop parties.
Lido
Themed around HIMYM, you can find all sorts of objects related to the show such as a yellow umbrella, the Bro Code, an intervention banner, and even a Canadian flag.
Legendary
Everyday of summer there’s an open dance floor next to the River Spree for salsa, bachata, tango, and swing.
Dance the night away
For the nostalgic music lovers, Berlin offers a variety of record stores with new and used vinyls.
Play that record
This record store offers hardcore, punk, and alternative vinyls.
Go hard
Whether you’re looking for old and new artists, this place has an extensive variety on new vinyls. It’s also a great place for books (both in German and English.)
Schallplatten
The districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain offer a large selection of these shops.
That’s so vintage
Every Sunday Mauerpark is filled with tents full of records, clothes, jewelry, and food for the flea market. Live music and karaoke are also part of the experience.
Hipster
Whether in the summer or winter, Flohmärkte are a great plan for Sundays.
Boxi
The most alternative flea market in Berlin.
RAW
You can even pick out your (very) “official” (and guaranteed to work) Berghain starter pack.
Get it
Home to Berlin’s Hertha B.S.C., Olympiastadion is also the city’s largest venue for live music. Pictured here is Linkin Park performing before an audience of roughly 75,000 fans.
From zero
Other activities include the Kultur Sommer Festival with live music of all genres. Here pictured is Mitsune, a Berlin-based group that makes Japanese music.
Kultur Sommer Festival
There’s also rock in Berlin. SO36 is an iconic punk venue.
Rock that
Mesmerizing lights and sounds will capture your senses in a mix of real and digital worlds in this exhibition.
Mesmerize me
A temporary exhibition in Dark Matter that mixes lights, techno, and fashion in the Sommerlights event.
Lights
Museum Island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Museum time
With around 170 museums, Berlin has more museums than rainy days per year (approximately 106). The Altes Museum is home to the antique collection of Greek and Roman artwork.
Let’s go back in time
Among the highlights in the “New Museum” are the bust of Nefertiti, known as an international icon of beauty, representing the concept of beauty in Ancient Egypt, and the Berliner Goldhut, a calendar in the shape of a hat made out of gold from ca. 900 BC.
Nu
Originally located in ancient Babylon, these vibrant glazed bricks were shipped in fractured pieces to Berlin, where they were put together like pieces of a giant puzzle to remake the Ishtar Gate.
Puzzle
This museum houses European paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries.
Classics
A must-see for modern art lovers, it includes works of Cubism, Expressionism, Bauhaus, and Surrealism.
That’s modern
Art exhibition with contemporary art.
Is that even art?
This open-air gallery on a portion of over 1 km of what remains of the Berlin Wall was originally painted in 1990 and repainted in 2009. The most famous graffiti painting is Mein Gott, hilf mir, diese tödliche Liebe zu überleben (My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love) showing the fraternal kiss between two socialist leaders.
The fraternal kiss
Berlin is well-known for its street art and graffiti, especially in the district of Kreuzberg. Painted in 2007 by Ash, Astronaut Cosmonaut is one of the most famous murals. Graffiti by Paradox (left-hand side) and 1UP can also be found on this wall and around the city.
It’s art
One of the coolest museums in Berlin, the Kinemathek shows the history of filmmaking in Germany.
4D
Revolving around the works of the famous photographers Helmut and June Newton.
Black and white
The contemporary photography of Fotografiska can be found in New York, Stockholm, Tallinn and Berlin.
Photography
The current exhibition displays different views on the topic of nudity.
50 shades of human
War planes from WWII, ships, air balloons, and trains, sugar, fabric, and everything related to science and technology.
Tech
How will we live in the future? How do we want to live? Find out at Futurium.
The future is now
Why have one opera house when you can have three? You can enjoy opera at the Deutsche Oper, the Staatsoper unter den Linden, and the Komische Oper.
Opera
Once the most bustling traffic intersection in Europe, it was destroyed during WWII, and remained abandoned during the Cold War with the Berlin Wall running right through it. Today it is filled with modern buildings.
Past, present, and future
The place where the Berlin Wall stood is marked in several places. In case you’re curious about which side of Berlin you’re standing in, if you read the text the right way, you’re in former West Berlin, if you read it upside down, then you’re in former East Berlin.
Hint
Teufelsberg is an artificial hill in Berlin built from World War II rubble, topped by a former U.S. spy station and now a popular site for art, history, and panoramic views of the city.
Spy
The perfect view.
Orange and blue
The beautiful view from the Berliner Dom during sunset in Berlin.
The golden hour
Berlin is a city that reinvents itself throughout history every time in a different way.
Dusk
Art.
Jäger
Shor for Spätverkauf, Spätis are open until late and are the perfect place for buying a late-night drink or snack.
It’s getting late
Every year between September and October, the Festival of Lights transforms Berlin’s landmarks into colorful artworks through illuminations and projections.
Lights
Berlin has a variety of Christmas markets. Medieval-themed in RAW-Gelände, with an open-air ice-skating rink in front of the Rotes Rathaus, classic in Gendarmenmarkt, and many more.
Spin that wheel
Berlin.
Stop and go
I could go on about Berlin for hours and hours, but for now it’s a wrap.