Introduction: The Fascinating City of Berlin
Berlin is a vast city of Germany which has amazes tourists worldwide due to its beauty and uniqueness. Famous for its historicism, culture and historical places, Berlin is on the list of most popular destinations for tourists. But is Berlin just a city? Of course, let’s discuss this rather provocative statement in more detail.
Learning More about Berlin History
As much as a city is referred to, it means a total center of human and related activities. The capital city of Germany – Berlin fully immersed in history, has mirrored the modern world in many ways. Berlin has an array of a historical past beginning from its development as a medieval trading town and its ugly episode of division during the Cold War.
Berlin – history of its development as the city.
Founded in the middle of the XIII century, Berlin was constructed near the River Spree as a small town. It expanded through the centuries to be crowned the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia in the 18th century and then the united Germany Empire. It was and remains today the capital of reunified Germany and occupies a strategic position as a political, cultural, as well as an economic capital in Europe.
The Berlin Wall: The Sign of Separation and Convergence
Another key landmark in the whole history of Berlin is the construction of the Berlin Wall. Constructed in 1961 under East German regime leadership, the wall split the city geographically as well as politically into East Berlin under Soviet influence and West Berlin under Western influence. The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolised the restructuring of Germany and the official start of a new chapter in the city’s history.
An Insight into Berlin’s Street Culture
The life in Berlin is as rich as diverse, when it comes to culture. In the modern world, it has turned into a center where people from different countries unite and become one big family of artists of different profiles along with musicians, and creative personalities. With everything from outstanding museums and galleries to a great variety of restaurants and shops, Berlin has much to offer the culture vulture.
The Museum Island: A Heaven Sent for Art and History Buffs
It can hardly be questioned that one of the main cultural sights of Berlin is the Museum Island. This is a unique island at the Spree River, which hosts five famous museums such as Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum, and Altes Museum among other. Here tourists are presented with a numerous quantity of opportunities for arts, history and archaeological landmarks.
The Street Art Scene: A Canvas of Creativity
Today the city’s walls are filled with colorful murals – street art is perhaps one of the strongest identifiers of Berlin. The East Side Gallery that includes murals on a part of the Berlin Wall, Graffiti district in Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain with the constant changes and boldness of Urban art should not leave any fan of Street art breathless.
Architectural Splendid of Berlin
Being a city with a history of conflicts, Berlin represent an example of a eclecticism when it comes to architecture. Going through the historical centers to guessing contemporary sky-scrapers, the skyline of the city reflects its multiphrenic nature.
Historic Gems: Once again, it is highlighted that both Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building remained key historical images throughout the period of study.
The Brandenburg Gate would probably be considered as one the city’s most significant symbols. This neo classical structure that was constructed in the 18th century has many historical links and controversy it has come to represent division and reunification of this city. In the vicinity one can also visit the Reichstag Building, which is a part of the German Parliament and where historical and actual architecture combine the old building with the new glass dome, through which one has the opportunity to observe the view of the city.
Contemporary Marvels: Potsdamer Platz and the Berlin Hauptbahnhof
This former wasteland of Berlin, after the city division, was transformed into an architectural, commercial, and cultural center of Potsdamer Platz. Being equipped with the marvellous tall buildings, shops, eating places and theatres it gives the best picture of new age Berlin. In contrast, the Berlin Hauhbahnhof is the largest train station and reflects modern Germany and design, that fluently links local and foreign travelers.
Berlin in a Nutshell: A City That Evokes Emotion
Summing up, Berlin is not only one of the largest cities in the world but also the outstanding geographical and historical phenomenon, together with a wonderful combination of many architectural styles. Historically, Berlin has not been an easy city, but it is one of the most fascinating cities of the World today. Whether you are interested in history and want to visit historical sites or you are interested in art and want to enjoy challenging performances of interesting theater, or you are interested in architectural monuments and want to see stunning buildings Berlin will be interesting for everyone.
Well, Berlin is a city but so much more than anyone would want to think of it just as a city.
Table of Contents