If you are going to be in Berlin, Germany, then for certain the history will awaken you. Again the actual sightseeing; From the Brandenburger Tor the Berliner Dom and the Fernsehturm to the legendary East Side Gallery, Berlin is one massive open museum for contemporary history enthusiasts. The less known aspect of the city’s history is Berliner Unterwelten or in English it translates to the Berlin Underworld.

Unearthing the Past

The Berliner Unterwelten is an amazingly interesting system of tunnels, bunkers and shelters which were used during World War II and the Cold War. These underground structures were built as shelters where civilians could take cover during air strikes but these tunnels also offered people places for living, traveling and meeting for the resistance movements.

During war stage, the Berliner Unterwelten was acting as place where thousands of people found refuge from bombings. Visiting these stairs and narrow corridors today is a wonderful chance to get an idea of what it was like for Berliners during this tragic period in history.

Discover the Guided Tours

However, to better realize the scale and the background of the Berliner Unterwelten one should take a guided tour. These are guided tours and the walking guide gives detailed information on the points of interest touched thus making it informative but at the same time exciting.

One of the many guided tours is the so-called “Dark Worlds” tour, in which you have to pass through tunnels, watch how the layout and equipment of the first years of the war resembled the real thing. The tour reveals the ordinary life of Berlin’s inhabitants but also includes the historical facts and incidents.

If you have any interest in this historic time period it is a good bet to take the “Underground Berlin” tour. It looks into the under ground facilities that were employed by East and West Germany during the Berlin barrier. The current installation includes such features were former listening stations, escape tunnels, and parts of the ‘wall’.

Preserving History

Among the most stunning features of Berliner Unterwelten is its interest in archiving history of the place. Berliner Unterwelten e.V. – the organisation that oversees the tours – is a non-profit association with the mission to protect the infrastructures, promote the understanding of their significance to society.

Over the years much has been done by volunteers to preserve the underground scenes intact and provide a glimpse of the past through experiencing the feeling of the past. In addition to the tours, the association also undertakes a lot of research, to make sure the historical information provided is correct.

By participating in the guided tours of the Berliner Unterwelten you contribute not only to wonderful sights, but also to the support of their work and their further development.

Planning Your Visit

This can be ensure by planning earlier, when visiting the Berliner Unterwelten. Keep in mind the following tips:

Booking in Advance

Since the tours attract a large number of people, it is recommended that one buy tickets in advance. This guarantees one a place on the tour they are interested in especially during the high travel season. Tickets are now available online or at the visitors center which is close to the Gesundbrunnen U-Bahn station.

Dress Appropriately

Visiting the Berliner Unterwelten, one is required to move along the thin corridors, go up and down stairs, and meet the temperature changes. Shoes should be comfortable and people are advised to wear layers of clothing as some areas of interest below ground may be cold.

Allow Sufficient Time

Duration slightly varies depending on the course and is between 90 minutes to 2 hours for each tour. In view of this, it is recommended that adequate time be devoted for the tour and also such other arrangements as one may be undertaking subsequently.

Conclusion

The Berliner Unterwelten manages to offer an interesting view of the offbeat history of Berlin. Visiting these subterranean complexes will definitely take you back in time – you’ll get the sense of what Berlin people went through throughout the war and the periods of post and pre- Cold War. The Berliner Unterwelten offers special and informative guided tours that promise historical preservation and exploration of the legends of the buried past.