The confusion that many tourists have while in Berlin is whether Mitte is in the eastern or the western side of the city. The situation when Berlin was divided into Eastern and Western lasted more than forty years and left a strong imprint in its geographical and historical plan. For one to understand the position of Mitte and its correlation to the division let us study more on the subject.
The Division of Berlin
After the end of World War II, Berlin was divided into four sectors controlled by the victorious Allied powers: these countries include United States, the Soviet Union, France and the United Kingdom. The Soviet sector was East Berlin and the three western sectors combined to form the West Berlin. The division was shattered by the construction of the Berlin Wall 1961, that physically and politically shared the city into two halves: East and West Berlin.
The Location of Mitte
Mitte is situated in centrally in Berlin that’s why it is considered to be the central district of this city. However during the division the borderline between East and west Berlin passed through the southern part of Mitte. As a result, Mitte was split down the middle. Northern Mitte was a part of East Berlin while southern Mitte was a part of west Berlin.
East Mitte
Whereas the eastern part of Mitte locally referred to as East Mitte is also wealthy in tourist attractions that include the Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, as well as the Berliner Dom. These sites were in East Berlin and most of them have historical and cultural roots from the division phase.
West Mitte
West Mitte in the western part of Mitte is usually a tourist attractions site that has the Brandenburg gate, the Reichstag building as well as the Tiergarten park. They where located in West Berlin and greatly contributed in the political and historical events of the division.
The Reunification of Berlin
Subsequently, in many ways, through integration and the unity of Germany as a physical realm through the demolition of the wall on, and specifically drawing to a close on November 9th, 1989. The reunification of East and West Germany came soon after in 1990 to give a united Germany a capital city of Berlin. Consequently, issue of East and West Berlin was no longer relevant and Mitte was integrated in to the main city of Berlin.
Visiting Mitte Today
Today, one can speak about Mitte as about one of the most active districts of Germany where people from all over the world come to visit. This area has numerous attractions including architectural designs which may be historic or contemporary, centers of civilization, shopping malls, and energetic inn scenes. With the help of Mitte districts, tourists get an opportunity to discover the history and get acquainted with the culture of Berlin in one district.
This makes it important to have the time to attempt to visit some of the most well-known points of interest which includes the Berlin Wall Memorial, the Checkpoint Charlie, East Side Gallery, or this Pergamon Museum. Get a stroll through Unter den Linden boulevard, Hackescher Markt – a local is quite vivacious, and spend a lazy afternoon in Tiergarten.
Moreover, Mitte lies in well connected transport network which makes it feasible to go to other part of the city. Alexanderplatz is characterized and splitter connector for several train, trams, and bus routes is available at transportation hub.
In conclusion
Mitte was also divided by East and West Berlin but since 1990 the district became a whole area after the reunification of the city. Now, people who come to Mitte, can taste the atmosphere of the dividing period and at the same time feel the atmosphere which has emerged since the reunification of Berlin.
Well if you are in Berlin and looking for the pulse of the city do yourself a favor and make your way to Mitte and be a part of the vibrant history, culture and the contemporary buzz.
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