Visit Berlin

You are now standing in one of the most beautiful squares in the capital. It was renamed in 1947 to honor one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party of Germany: August Bebel. It was designed in the 18th century as part of the creation of the "Forum Fridericianum." Read more

Here stands a magnificent symbol of religious tolerance. Saint Hedwig's Cathedral, which you see before you, is the episcopal seat of the Archdiocese of Berlin and one of the most important Catholic places of worship in Germany. Read more

You are now on the Gendarmenmarkt, which in English translates to the Men-at-arms Market Square. Grand and harmonious, it is often described as the capital's most beautiful square. Some even call it the most beautiful square north of the Alps. Read more

You’ve probably noticed that one of the main features of this square is the striking resemblance between the two churches, one on each side of the Konzerthaus theatre, keeping the place in perfect harmony. However, they were not built at the same time. Read more

Since you’ll be walking down Charlotte Street for the next several hundred meters, I’ll take this opportunity to tell you a bit about the queen behind the name. Her husband Frederick, whom we've mentioned several times already, was the Elector of Brandenburg before crowning himself King of Prussia in 1701. Read more

Look here, on the corner of the street, and you can see the beautiful Art Nouveau-style (or ‘New Art’) facade of the Michaelsen Palais. This hotel was designed by Otto Michaelsen—hence its name—for a wealthy German merchant named Emil Vogt, at the beginning of the 20th century. Read more

This ultra-colourful block of buildings, known as the Schützenstrasse district, sharply contrasts with the rest of the neighborhood, and is the work of the Italian architect Aldo Rossi. Read more

You might walk past it without even noticing, so modest is the Peter Fechter Memorial. And yet, he is one of the most well-known victims of the Wall, if not the most symbolic. One year into life behind the Iron Curtain, Peter, Read more

Here it is, the famous Checkpoint Charlie. It’s one of those iconic places in Berlin that you probably already had in mind before coming. It was, of course, the former border crossing between East and West Berlin, operated by the American, British, and French Allied forces. Read more

On your right, you will see the Asisi Panorama of Berlin, known as The Wall, where you can relive the daily life of Berliners in the 1980s, thanks to hundreds of retouched and scaled photographs. On the other side, you will see the Trabi Museum, Read more

This is the site of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS, whose ruins were demolished after the war. This served as the headquarters of the Third Reich leadership. Read more

You’ve probably heard of Berlin's Potsdamer Platz, once considered the German version of Times Square. If you want to see it for yourself, you can find it about 500 metres to your right. Originally, it was located outside the old city walls of Berlin, Read more

Before we learn a little more about the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which you can see in front of you, I just wanted to talk a bit about Hitler. Not that I particularly want to talk about him, but you should know that it was here, Read more

Prepare yourself mentally for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe because it is deeply moving. It is really one of the most moving Holocaust memorials ever created. You are about to enter a labyrinth of stone slabs. Read more

Welcome to Pariser Platz –or “Paris Square” - right in the heart of Berlin. This square commemorates Prussia's capture of Paris in 1814, which led to Napoleon Bonaparte's fall. One man’s defeat is another man’s victory. Read more

Like most other visitors, if you’ve come all this way, it’s probably to see the magnificent Brandenburg Gate—an enduring symbol of German reunification and the last remaining historic city gate! An example of Greek Revival architecture, Read more

Throughout your visit to Berlin, be prepared to come across numerous memorials dedicated to the various communities persecuted by the Nazi regime. Germany has taken on an unwavering duty of remembrance, Read more

The Reichstag Palace has played a significant role in Berlin’s history. As its name suggests, it was originally built for the Reichstag, the parliamentary assembly of the vast German Empire, founded in 1871 by Otto von Bismarck. Read more

The white crosses you see on the railings pay tribute to those who lost their lives trying to cross the Berlin Wall. Originally, there were crosses at every exact location where someone had been killed, but maintaining these scattered memorials throughout the city proved too complicated. Read more

The beautiful ultra-modern building you see on the other bank is part of the parliamentary complex of the German federal government. Inaugurated in 2003, it was born from a large-scale redevelopment project of the government district known as the Federal Ribbon, Read more

The Spree, which divides the German capital in two, embodies the tumultuous history of the city it flows through. It was along its banks that the first settlement was founded in the 13th century, and later, it served as a natural border between East and West Berlin. Read more

You are now in front of the Tränenpalast, known as the Palace of Tears in English, a highly symbolic site of Germany's division. After the construction of the Berlin Wall, Friedrichstrasse railway station ended up entirely within the Soviet sector. Read more

The beautiful building that you see across the street, with its large ionic columns and countless decorative moldings, is one of the few grand entertainment halls from the early 20th century that is still used in Berlin today. Read more

The impressive building on your left, and which seems to take up the entire block, is the Berlin State Library. It is one of the largest research libraries in the world and the most prestigious in Germany, explaining its size. Read more

In case you were wondering, the equestrian statue you see in the middle of the street is that of King Frederick II of Prussia, also known as Frederick the Great. He is depicted on his horse, emphasizing his role as a military leader. Read more

You are now surrounded by beautiful period buildings— which makes sense, as you have arrived in the Humboldt University district, encircled by the State Library and the Academy of Sciences. It is the oldest of Berlin's four universities. Read more

Step closer to this columned temple and look inside. It is a moving memorial in remembrance of war victims . The striking statue within depicts a powerless mother holding her dead son in her arms. The monument was first built to honor those who perished in the Napoleonic Wars, Read more