Berlin-Mitte

In Berlin-Mitte lies the largest square in Germany, Alexanderplatz. It is named after the Tsar Alexander I. In 1805 he visited the capital of the former Kingdom of Prussia. Even then it was a lively place, which has not changed to this day. Gastronomic establishments, shops and cinemas nestle against it. Numerous sights can be reached on foot from the square. In addition, it is one of the most important transport hubs in the eastern part of Berlin. Trams, suburban trains, buses, subways and regional trains depart from there. The square acquired this importance for the transport infrastructure in 1882 when a long-distance train station was built here.

The imposing Berlin Cathedral is enthroned in Berlin-Mitte and immediately catches the eye due to its dome. The church was built in the Baroque-influenced Italian High Renaissance style between 1894 and 1905 under Kaiser Wilhelm II. The history of the magnificent building, however, goes back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries there have been extensive renovations of the church. At the end of the 19th century it was decided to demolish the old cathedral in order to create a new one. Today baptisms and weddings take place in the sacred premises. Visitors are amazed not only at the cathedral itself, but also at its sermon church, the imperial staircase and the Hohenzollern crypt.

The Berlin TV tower on Alexanderplatz in Berlin-Mitte is one of the capital's landmarks. At 368 m it is the highest publicly accessible structure in Europe. Numerous visitors flock there every year to enjoy an excellent view of the entire metropolis from the viewing platform. There is also a panorama bar and a revolving restaurant up there. The latter rotates on its own axis in an hour. The building was built within four years in GDR times. The inauguration was on October 3, 1969. Former GDR State Council Chairman Walter Ulbricht saw the tower as a symbol of the superiority of socialist society. In the east, people would build a better future.

The Berlin Wall Memorial in Berlin-Mitte commemorates an important piece of German post-war history: the division of Berlin by a high wall and the deaths on the wall. The internationally famous monument was initially 70 m long, which was an original section of the former border fortifications between East and West. It was rebuilt in 1998 on Bernauer Strasse. In the meantime there has been an expansion of the memorial, which is why it has a total length of 1.4 km today and extends over the former border strip. In addition to the memorial, there is a Chapel of Reconciliation, an outdoor exhibition, the Window of Remembrance, the Berlin Wall Documentation Center and the Visitor Center.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin-Mitte is one of the capital's most famous landmarks and is also a German national symbol. Numerous historical events of the 19th and 20th centuries are linked to it. The early Classicist triumphal gate was built between 1789 and 1793 on the instructions of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II. Carl Gotthard Langhans provided the designs for the building. The sculpture that crowns the gate was made by the sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow. No other of the metropolis’s 18 city gates have survived - only this one with its quadriga. Its design is clearly based on Greek and Roman models.

One of the most famous border crossings in Berlin was Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin-Mitte. Between 1961 and 1990 it connected East and West. The checkpoint was built in August 1961 by the Western Allies as part of the construction of the wall. The checkpoint was intended to ensure that members of the military could continue to cross the sector boundaries. This was not always easy and always time-consuming, as registrations and instructions were required. Today the border crossing is one of the most popular sights in Berlin. Vacationers like to position themselves in front of the control barracks, the barrier, the flag and the sandbags, which were modeled on the original site. The square was also used as a location in well-known spy films such as James Bond's Octopussy.

Between Berlin-Mitte and Berlin-Kreuzberg there is the so-called Engelbecken, which was once a canal between the Landwehr Canal and the Spree. Then the basin was filled in. Today an architectural ensemble rises there, which can best be explored from Oranienplatz. A well-tended park, in which flowers sprout occasionally in spring and summer, paves the way to the Engelbecken ensemble with its 16 high water fountains. In the background you can discover the imposing St. Michaels Church, the opening of which dates back to 1859. Angel basin ensemble and church are two more sights that tell a piece of Berlin history.

The Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin-Mitte has been delighting with its theater performances since 1984. It is a revue theater which has modern stage technology and is now one of the leading theaters in Europe. The performances are characterized by elaborate costumes, creative choreographers and opulent stage sets. The theater can accommodate up to 1,900 people, making it the largest revue theater in Europe. It should also be emphasized that the longest series of girls in the world can be admired on stage. In addition to the girl series, there are also dancers who, together with the dancers, form an ensemble of 60 performers. To put on such a big show, another 240 people are required backstage. You work in administration or take care of the scenery, lighting, music and sound.

In Berlin-Mitte a north-south axis runs through the capital, which bears the name Friedrichstrasse. The dead straight street experienced a real turning point after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It blossomed into a shopping street that is frequented by holidaymakers as well as by Berliners themselves. Probably the most important anchor shop on the shopping street is the French department store Galeries Lafayette, which is on the corner of Französische Strasse. The Berliner Ensemble, which is one of the most important German theater stages, is also particularly noteworthy. The world-famous playwright Bertolt Brecht also worked there. The 3.3 km long road was laid out in the 17th century. It was named after Elector Friedrich III. of Brandenburg.

In Berlin-Mitte is the Gendarmenmarkt, which was created as part of a city expansion in 1688. There was massive destruction during the Second World War. It was renovated between 1976 and 1993. On the 3.3 hectare square are the concert hall by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, which was once a theater, as well as the German and French cathedral by Carl von Gontard. Initially the square was called Esplanade. Subsequently it was called Lindenmarkt, Friedrichstädtischer Markt and Neuer Markt. It was given its current name at the end of the 18th century. It is founded in the guard regiment "Gens d´armes", which had its guard and stables there between 1736 and 1782.

The Hackesche Markt is a creative center in Berlin-Mitte between Friedrichstrasse and Alexanderplatz. There you will find boutiques with shoes and fashion, shops of well-known designers and flagship stores of international labels. Both Berliners and holidaymakers like to stroll through the streets of the center, go shopping or enjoy the gastronomic offer in the cafes. This part of Berlin did not always have today's status as a trendy district. After the fall of the Wall in 1989, extensive refurbishments and renovations took place in the district, as there were numerous vacant lots there. It only takes a few years for designers, artists and creative people to settle down with their workshops. The creative potential was the prelude to the lively trendy district in the middle of Berlin.

The famous Holocaust memorial is a memorial for the murdered Jews of Europe and is located in Berlin-Mitte. It was opened in 2005 and is in the immediate vicinity of the Brandenburg Gate, which makes it even more important. It consists of a wave-shaped field with a total of 2,711 concrete blocks. The different high columns form a kind of labyrinth, so that the visitor automatically loses orientation for a moment. This was deliberately chosen in order to deal more intensively with the memorial and the topic. The information center is located under the monument. It has themed rooms that all deal with the crimes of the Nazi era.

In Berlin-Mitte there are parts of the renowned Humboldt University, at which around 44,000 students, including the Charité, are enrolled. It was founded in 1809. Teaching started around a year later. It is the oldest and largest university in the capital. In the post-war period, the university was renamed after the Prussian scientists Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt. The university's headquarters are in Prince Heinrich's palace. The magnificent building dates from the middle of the 18th century and is in the baroque style. During the Second World War, the Allies severely destroyed the building. Thanks to extensive, faithful renovation work in the post-war years, it shines again in all its glory.

The Monbijoupark in the Spandauer Vorstadt is a green oasis in Berlin-Mitte. It has a size of around 4 hectares and is a popular place to take a break from the lively capital. It has large green areas that are ideal for sunbathing and picnicking. Large trees provide shade. There is also an outdoor pool for children in the front part of the park. A fitness area and a playground also make the park attractive. The beach bar is a popular place to enjoy a cool drink. With so many amenities, it is not surprising that the park name translates as "My gem". This is due to the rococo castle Monbijou, which once stood there and was destroyed in the Second World War.

One of the most remarkable museum complexes in Europe lies on the northern side of the Spree Island in Berlin-Mitte: the Museum Island. The ensemble was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. The buildings themselves are much older. Over a period of 100 years until 1930, a building ensemble was built that corresponds to the designs of five architects. It has been gradually restored since the 1990s and a reception building has been added. Those who take the time for the exhibitions in the museums can spend days there. The complex includes the Old Museum with its antique collection, the New Museum with its Egyptian exhibition, the Old National Gallery with valuable works of art, the Bode Museum with other works of art, the Pergamon Museum with archaeological finds and the James Simon Gallery.

The Museum of Natural History was opened in Berlin-Mitte in 1889. It allows an interesting insight into nature, the numerous different life forms on earth and evolution itself. Adults and children have the opportunity to look at bird preparations, prehistoric animals and also the polar bear Knut. The presentation of the history of the creation of the universe, which reveals where all life comes from, is very instructive. Particularly noteworthy is a skeleton of the imposing Brachiosaurus brancai. With a height of 13.27 m, it is the largest dinosaur skeleton in the world. The museum's collection comprises a total of 30 million objects, making it one of the most important in its field.

In 1734, as part of a baroque urban expansion in Berlin-Mitte, Pariser Platz was laid out at the end of Unter den Linden. The Brandenburg Gate by Carl Gotthard Langhans hugs it. At the beginning, the square was only built on with the aristocratic palace and elegant townhouses belonging to the noble society. Since it has a square shape, the quarree was called. Over the centuries there were further developments on the square, which ultimately led to the current name of the place. It was massively destroyed in the Second World War. Gradually it was rebuilt. Now it shines in a new splendor.