Berlin stands upon the
vast European Plain in Northeastern Germany.
Berlin
stands upon the vast European Plain in Northeastern Germany, on the banks of
the River Spree. Berlin's history has been one of triumph and tragedy, tyranny
and transformation. Brought to her knees by two World Wars, and then divided
throughout much of The Cold War, Berlin has reemerged, blossoming into one of
the world's economic and creative powerhouses. With a population of only
three-and-a-half million, Berlin enjoys an air of spaciousness not found in
many other European capitals. Berlin is an incredibly green city, both
physically and politically. At times it
feels like the city was built just to fill in the gaps between its many parks,
forests, and lakes. With hundreds of miles of bike paths, stringent traffic regulations,
and an absence of hills ,Berlin is the perfect city to explore on foot or by
bicycle. A legacy of Berlin's checkered history is a cityscape of every
imaginable architectural style; from the gothic to the baroque, from the
socialist to the futuristic. Yet somehow it all works ~ magnificently! The
Brandenburg Gate rose in the 18th century as a symbol of peace. It was battered
in the Second World War, then isolated by the division of Berlin, before becoming
the rallying point during the joyous days of the reunification. A block to the
north, The Reichstag is also a symbol of a Berlin reborn. Gutted by fire in
1933 and reduced to rubble during the fall of Berlin, today visitors can climb
the Reichstag's transparent dome for a bird's-eye view of the city. Occupying
an entire city block is the Holocaust Memorial - an unsettling reminder of the
consequences of letting the roots of intolerance take hold. Rolling out before
the Brandenburg Gate, is The Tiergarten, a 500 acre tapestry of forests, woodlands,
and canals. The Tiergarten is also home to the Victory Column, the Soviet War
Memorial and Bellevue Palace ~ the official residence of the German President.
But her most famous resident of all, is the Berlin Zoo. Featuring over 1500
species, and enclosures that look more like natural habitats, The Berlin Zoo is
one of the most visited zoological gardens in Europe. Berlin is a city of
churches. Retaining its war-damaged spire, The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
is a shining example of Berlin's ability to honor its past, while forging a
bold architectural future. But perhaps Berlin's most striking place of worship,
is The Chapel of Reconciliation, the spiritual heart of the Berlin Wall
Memorial. Near the center of Berlin, another section of the infamous wall has
become a memorial~ of a more colorful kind. Featuring the work of 100
international artists, the East Side Gallery is one of the largest outdoor art
exhibits in the world. And the theme? Freedom, of course. Featured in countless
spy novels and films, Checkpoint Charlie was the Cold War's most famous border
crossing.
The
adjacent museum explores the history of the checkpoint and the ingenious ways
in which Berliners defected from East to West. The Cold War years remain an
endless source of fascination for Berliners and visitors alike. At the DDR
Museum, visitors are invited to rummage through the drawers and cupboards of
its exhibits, which recreate life in East Germany during Socialist rule.
Directly opposite the DDR Museum, is Museum Island, a chance to step even
further back in time. Now an internationally protected heritage site, the
island is home to five museums, each one specializing in different periods of
the arts and sciences. The Berlin Cathedral also stands on Museum Island. Once
inside, climb the wide 270 step staircase to the observation deck and breathe
in the colors of the city below. Berlin is also a city of great civic squares.
The Bebel platz, is home of the Humboldt University. Alexander platz became a
showcase for Soviet architecture throughout the Cold War. The Fernsehturm, a
futuristic 1960s TV Tower, still evokes mankind's eternal quest to reach for
the stars. Pots damer Platz was once
known as the Times Square of Berlin. Since reunification the area has
regenerated into a visionary space where all Berliners can celebrate their city
~ together, as one. Welcome to the Berlin of the 21st century, a city proving
to the world that to lerance ,creativity and passion can bear the most
incredible fruit.
