Must-See Tourist Attractions in Berlin
People like traveling for a variety of reasons. They desire to try something new and gain new skills or information as a result. Every site has something unique to teach tourists, and the way to learn is to immerse yourself in the new environment. Berlin is an excellent place to travel to for those seeking to learn about history.
Germany’s capital city offers a wealth of history and culture. Berlin, badly shattered during World War II and the Cold War was reborn as an international metropolis with diversified culture and architecture.
One of Berlin’s most famous historical monuments is the Brandenburg Gate. It was previously a symbol of a divided country, but now it stands for peace and love. In 1788, King Frederick Wilhelm II commissioned this massive Neoclassical gate, which was inspired by the Propylaea on the Acropolis of Athens. The 85.3 feet tall sandstone monument is on Pariser Platz in Berlin’s Mitte neighborhood, just a block from the Reichstag building.
Its physical and symbolic status as a barred gate along the Berlin Wall made it a popular venue for West Berliner rallies during the Cold War. It’s also known for serving as the setting for US President Ronald Reagan’s 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to demolish the Berlin Wall.
Another important tourist attraction in Berlin is the Reichstag. It was built in 1894 and functioned as the Imperial Diet of the German Empire until it was demolished in 1933. It was not utilized again until after Germany’s reunification that it underwent a 10-year refurbishment before becoming the German Parliament’s home in 1999.
A feature of this beautiful renovation is the replacement dome, the Kuppel. Made of glass, it gives magnificent views of the surrounding city, especially at night from the Rooftop Restaurant.
The Berlin Wall Memorial is another interesting landmark in Berlin. The Berlin Wall began in 1961 when East Germany partitioned the city to prevent inhabitants from fleeing to West Germany. The 13 feet high wall had 93.3 miles in length, dissected 55 streets, and had 293 observation towers and 57 bunkers before it was taken down in 1989.
Only small sections of this graffiti-covered abomination remain today, including a 0.8-mile stretch preserved as part of the Berlin Wall Memorial. It serves as a chilling reminder of the enmity that once existed between Europe’s peoples.
Further, a different tourist attraction is the Gendarmenmarkt. Three historic landmark buildings dominate the Gendarmenmarkt, one of Berlin’s major squares: the Konzerthaus, the French Cathedral (Franzosischer Dom), and the German Cathedral (Deutscher Dom). This charming 17th-century plaza is today one of Berlin’s most popular tourist destinations, hosting a variety of public events throughout the year, including classical concerts on the steps of the Konzerthaus theater during the summer. In the winter, the plaza is transformed into the city’s famed Christmas Market.
The Konzerthaus, which opened in 1821, is known for its architectural beauty and the outstanding performances of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, one of Germany’s most popular symphony orchestras. A monument of German poet Friedrich Schiller sits in front of the structure, flanked by four female figures representing the creative components of Lyric Poetry, Drama, History, and Philosophy.
