If there is one thing that makes Berlin amazingly popular among tourists is the fact that stepping in to the world of the city’s past one can go on a free walking tour to learn all sorts of things regarding the World War. Berlin special offers historical and moving narratives of this period of upheaval and suffering co-locates fresh afterwards, and a walking tour means that you are in an excellent position to hear all of them!
The World War Histories’ Role in Berlin
Looking at Berlin today, one can truly say that this world War II affected the city as the most because the impact can be seen in the walls of the buildings throughout the city. From the parts of the wall that divided East from West to the debris of Berlin’s architectural gems, including the iconic, the Reichstag, Berlin itself is an open history book of the events that led up to the war, the war and the rebuilding of the city.
Commencing the Walking Tour
Start your exploration on foot and you’ll probably kick-off where most Berlin tours do – at the Brandenburg Gate. This neoclassical gate now a part of Berlin was constructed in the end of the eighteenth century, Indeed, this historic gateway has seen Hitler in power, the division and reunification of the city. When you are standing in front of the Gate, your experienced tour guide as far as the war history tour is concerned will brief you.
Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall – two sites of memory that tell the history of division and unification of the German Nation.
Next to the Brandenburg Gate, your guide will guide you to the famous Checkpoint Charlie, which marked one of the Cold War’s most famous border crossing points. This checkpoint was in between east and west Berlin where the communism and the democracy was strictly divided. Here you will find information on the attempt of Koreans to break the wall and the fates of people separated by this barrier.
Further down the same path, you can see some parts of the famous Berlin Wall that once formed a split within the city. When you will touch the Cold War Berlin Wall and read about the daily life problems people in divided Berlin faced, you will understand that this concrete divider affected the city and its dwellers greatly.
Holocaust Memorial of Jews in Europe
Among the most interesting stops of your walking tour, the last stop can hardly be considered: the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. This post-modernist memorial comprises of small cubes of concrete in the shape of the number 11, symbolizing the number of million Jewish people that perished. Remember it will be run by a guide who will be giving visitors an account of what happened as enjoyed the show and was a sort of a solemn peaceful think of the past that should not be forgotten.
Reichstag and Hitler’s Bunker
On the walking tour of the Second World War sites it would be rather unwise not to include the German Parliament building known as the Reichstag. Everything from its stunning facade to its dubiously dramatic past makes the Reichstag one of the most significant buildings of the war. Your guide will also tell you about Reichstag fire of 1933 which paved way for Hitler to gain complete control over the country.
Elaborate next to the Reichstag building, there is a location where Hitler had spent his last days before committing suicide. As much as the main part of the bunker is closed to the public, your local guide will tell you a lot about this terrible chapter in history and show you a glimpse of this side of the Berlin’s history.
Cues to Help You Get the Most from Your Walking Tour
As you embark on your exploration of Berlin’s World War history, consider the following tips to enhance your experience:
Dress Comfortably
Some of the walking tours take between 3-4 hours or more, therefore comfortable shoes and according to the weather should be worn. Berlin’s weather may not be so good during the time of your visit therefore bring jacket or umbrella with you.
Ask Questions
Feel free to ask the tour guide questions while on the tour as well. They are very knowledgeable about what they are explaining and most likely to offer helpful side information on the matter at hand.
Listen Attentively
Many guides like to use stories and personal experiences as examples, so pay particular attention to these instances to understand better. As you read through the woks, come out and attempt to fathom what it was like to live during those hard state.
Take Time for Reflection
Many of the memorials and landmarks which you will see during the tour are associated with shock and deep sorrow among the tourists. Try to remember the facts and learn their lessons to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of such a violent period.
Keep an Open Mind
Tourism: Go with an open heart that you are willing to be trained. The area of Berlin associated with World War is rather vast and diverse, so the walking tour is a good chance to learn more about this part of history.
Conclusion
Taking a free walking tour to view the World War history of Berlin is an amazing approach to getting involved with the past and paying respect to the progression of the city. It will help the history lover to study the narration of this historical period and feelings of surviving memories related to historical mark, site and monuments in Berlin.
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