Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free

The Fascinating Tale of Berlin’s Various Cities

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

The Background Story

This is the reason why, when people talk about Berlin, people consider it to be one city. As always the history of Berlin is much more elaborate and the answer to the question of how many Berlin cities are there, is far from obvious.

The Divisions of Berlin

Berlin has records of several cities and towns that amalgamated which form the present day city of Berlin. Here are some of the significant divisions:

Cölln and Berlin

In the Middle Ages, the region was divided between two towns: Cölln and Berlin. From then on, though these two places existed virtually next to each other, they remained separate Administrative towns until their Consolidation in the 14th century. This merger resolved, it was to form the basis of what would shortly know as modern Berlin.

Greater Berlin Act of 1920

Looking much further ahead to the twentieth century, Berlin became a much larger city by the Greater Berlin Act 1920. This act amalgamated the surrounding municipalities and towns into one large city over the administrative region. Currently, this wider area is known as Berlin’s City Proper.

West Berlin and East Berlin

The second developmental division of Berlin also took place during the Cold War period. Following World War II, Berlin was divided into two separate entities: West Berlin and East Berlin. West Berlin was in the center of East Germany, and the city was actually bisected by the Berlin Wall until November, 1989. Being politically divided, however, West and East Berlin were regarded as a single city.

A Unified Berlin Today

After the Berlin Wall came crashing down the stage of reunification started. The unification of West Berlin and East Berlin in 1990 became a turning point of the city and all of Germany. Since then, Berlin is no longer officially divided with any line within the city’s metropolitan area.

Explanation of the Participating Neighborhoods in Berlin

Even though this is one single city and for some people called by a single name Berlin, Berlin is actually a city of neighborhoods. The city has many different distinctive areas which are different in character and atmosphere, history and many other aspects. Some notable neighborhoods in Berlin include:

Mitte

Mitte is one of the borough of Berlin and it also includes many important attractions like the Brandenburg Gate or Museum Island. It has a checkered past, diverse cultural compositions, and is famed for having an active nightlife.

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is one of the loziest districts which has a reputation of an alternative bohemian quarter. They include artists, musicians and people who just want to escape the mainstream lifestyle. Kreuzberg is also famous for the active tagging scene and extremely diverse offer of food and beverage facilities.

Prenzlauer Berg

Prenzlauer Berg is a trendy area with an interesting background and a relaxed atmosphere to boot. It is marked by preserved historic architecture, renovated boutiques and small coffee shops. There are many young families and artist dwell in this neighbourhood.

Final Thoughts

Well then, how many cities are there in Berlin? Speaking from the technical point of view, there is only one city of Berlin in the present world. Nevertheless, they are divided by the city’s history of consolidation and annexation which shaped it into the current form. Modern geographical divisions of Berlin propose a number of districts – each of these uniqueness contributes to the overall rich palette of this exciting city. Tours and visits in Berlin are quite interesting for the simple reason that it is filled with history and cultures that has been uncovered progressively through time.

Thank you for reading. If you're inspired by the stories of Berlin and want to delve deeper, why not join us on our Free Berlin Walking Tour? It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • 3.5 hours walking tour
  • Berlin’s major highlights
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Reichstag and Berlin Wall
  • Historical sites

Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free