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Berlin Travel Guide

Things to Do in Berlin

Reichstag Dome - Berlin
Reichstag Dome
by diocletianvs
Reviews and photos of Berlin attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Berlin sightseeing.
Local Time 12:13 am Saturday, July 26, 2008
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Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche: Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis-Kirche
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  • Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis-Kirche - Berlin
    Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis-Kirche
    by sue_stone,
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    Located in the Kurfurstendamm district of Berlin is the intriguing Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis-Kirche. The church was built from 1890-95, but only part of its west tower was left intact after bombing in 1943. Today only 63 metres high, the tower once stood to 113 metres.

    The ruins of the tower have been left standing as a memorial. At the base of the tower there is a memorial hall, with historical information and pictures of the old church. This hall has stunning mosaics on the ceiling.

    Next to the remains of the tower is the new church which was built next from 1957-63. In the church there is a stunning altar area with a golden figure of Christ suspended in front of a mass of beautiful blue stained glass windows.

    There is no charge to enter the memorial hall or new church. If you are in the area I really suggest you pop your head in.

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  • Address: Kurfürstendamm, 10789 Berlin
  • Phone: 218 50 23
  • Directions: Nearest Subway: Kurfurstendamm (U1 & U9) or Zoologischer Garten (U2 & U9 or S3/5/7/9)
  • Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche-berlin.de/KWG/dateien/englisch/index.php
  • Other Contact: KWGBerlin@t-online.de

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    East Side Gallery: East Side Gallery
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  • East Side Gallery - on the Berlin Wall - Berlin
    East Side Gallery - on the
    Berlin Wall
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    The East Side Gallery is the longest and best preserved remaining part of the Berlin Wall. This 1.3km long section of the wall is home to one of the largest open air galleries in the world.

    Approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this "memorial for freedom", which has been painted on the east side of the wall. The first painting was started in December 1989, immediately after the fall of the wall.

    Over the years the frescoes have been eroded by the weather and exhaust fumes, and also destroyed by tourists wanting to take a part of the wall home with them. The gallery is slowly being restored by non-profit organisations, and the paintings closest to Ostbahnhof are in the best condition.

    This is a very interesting place to visit, not only do you get to see part of the Berlin Wall, but you also get a glimpse of the hopes and dreams for the future for people all around the world, via the artists' work.

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  • Address: Mühlenstrasse, Berlin-Friedrichshain
  • Directions: Nearest Subway: Ostbahnhof (S3/5/7/75/9) or Warschauer (S3/5/7/75/9 or U1)
  • Website: http://www.eastsidegallery.com

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    History - Cold War: Memorial for Victims of the Berlin Wall
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  • Almost hidden behind the trees, opposite the southern side of the Reichstag there is a memorial for victims of the Berlin Wall, which used to run only a few steps away.

    The memorial has white crosses with names of people who were killed whilst trying to escape over the wall from East Germany. Some of the crosses also have photos of the deceased, with stories of how they attempted to flee to a better life.

    It was pretty sobering to read and hard to imagine that all of this was only going on a few decades ago. Particularly sad was the story of the man who was shot dead only a short time before the two sides were unified.

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  • Address: Corner of Scheidemannstrasse & Ebertstrasse
  • Directions: Nearest Subway: Unter den Linden (S1/2/25)
  • Website: http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/english/berlin-infos/e_bi_stadtinfos_mauer.php

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    Jewish Museum: Jewish Museum
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  • Exhibition in the Jewish Museum - Berlin
    Exhibition in the Jewish
    Museum
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    Berlin's Jewish Museum is the largest museum of its type in Europe and is a must see on any visit to Berlin. It is also the most significant example of contemporary architecture in Berlin.

    The museum documents the German-Jewish relationship throughout the centuries. There are different exhibition rooms and way more information to soak up then you could even begin to attempt in a short visit like we had.

    Highlights of the visit for me were the windowless Holocaust Tower, a dark, empty, high-sided tower where you can stand and reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust; and out in the Garden of Exile, where tall stone pillars on a slope give you a feel for the isolation and loss of orientation experienced by those forced to live in exile. Very moving stuff.

    Opening hours are: Monday from 10am - 10pm and Tuesday-Sunday from 10am - 8pm
    The museum cost us 5 euro each to visit in May 2006.

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  • Address: Lindenstrasse 9-14, 10969 Berlin Kreuzberg
  • Phone: (030) 25993-300
  • Directions: Nearest Subway: Hallesches Tor (U1 & U6)
  • Website: http://www.jmberlin.de
  • Other Contact: info@jmberlin.de

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    Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral): Berliner Dom
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  • Berliner Dom is the largest and most decorated church in Berlin. It is located on Museumsinsel, overlooking the sculptured lawns of the Lustgarten.

    Originally built between 1894-1905, members of the ruling dynasty of the time are buried in the crypt beneath it. Since then the church has been fully restored - reopening in 1993 after almost 40 years of restorations!

    The main draw card for us was the stunning 85 metre high dome. Not only is it beautifully ornate inside the dome, but better still, you can climb the 270 steps to the top of the dome for fabulous views over Berlin.

    Don't miss it, it is well worth the entry fee (5 euro in May 2006).

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  • Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, Berlin-Mitte
  • Directions: Nearest Subway: Hackescher Markt (S3/5/7/9) or Alexanderplatz (U2/5/8)
  • Website: http://www.berliner-dom.de

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    Checkpoint Charlie: Checkpoint Charlie
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  • Checkpoint Charlie was one of the main gateways for crossing between the two halves of Berlin during the Cold War. The naming of the checkpoints was based on the phonetic alphabet, and as this was the third such checkpoint it was given the name of Charlie.

    It became a symbol of the Cold War - representing the division of East & West - and was seen as a gateway to freedom for the East Germans.

    The checkpoint ceased operation when the wall was opened in 1989, and the checkpoint booth was removed in 1990. These days a replica of the booth has been erected in the same place the original once stood, along with a copy of the sign that used to mark the border crossing.

    Right near the checkpoint is the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, a private museum which opened in 1962, not long after the wall was built. The museum chronicles the history and horror of the Berlin Wall, with some amazing stories about how some people attempted to escape and in some cases succeeded.

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  • Phone: (030) 25 37 25-0
  • Directions: Located at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse & Zimmerstrasse Nearest Subway: Kochstrasse (U6)
  • Website: http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/history/checkpoint-charlie.htm http://www.mauermuseum.de/

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    Volkswagen Automobil Forum
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  • For those car enthusiasts out there, and anyone else who happens to be wandering down Unter den Linden and feels like a change from the usual sight-seeing, why not pop into the Volkswagen Automobil Forum.

    Housed over three floors, this glossy mall looks more like a shopping centre then a car dealership and is well worth a visit. This type of car showroom is hugely popular in Germany, and can you can browse through at your leisure, dressed like a scruffy tourist and all.

    They have some pretty cool cars on display here, old and new - Alex was particularly excited about seeing a special model Bugatti. Some of the old convertibles on display were pretty cool too.

    There is an accessories shop and a café here as well, and clean (free) toilets.

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  • Address: Unter den Linden 21, Berlin-Mitte
  • Phone: 20 92 12 00
  • Directions: Nearest Subway: Franzosische Strasse (U6) or Unter den Linden (S1/2/25)
  • Website: http://www.automobilforum-berlin.de/

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    Hackesche Höfe: Linked Courtyards in the Scheunenviertel Quarter
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  • In the interesting Scheunenviertel quarter of Berlin you will find a series of lovely linked courtyards, which have been beautifully restored over the years.

    The main one is Hackesche Hofe, which consists of eight linked courtyards filled with trendy cafes, galleries, shops and theatres. These courtyards were designed in the early 1900's. The first courtyard's (Hof 1) buildings are decorated with lovely patterned Art Nouveau tiles. In other courtyards you can see stylish apartments looking over the garden like interior.

    Right next to Hackesche Hofe is Rosenhofe. This pretty courtyard features a sunken rose garden and sculptured metal decorations which are supposed to look like part of the surrounding greenery.

    Close by you will find the narrow Sophienstrasse arcade which has been lovingly restored to its former late 18th century glory. Here you can check out a number of arts and crafts shops.

    We really enjoyed walking through the courtyards and browsing in the shops and galleries.

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  • Directions: Hackesche Hofe & Rosenhofe are at Rosenthaler Strasse 40-41. Sophienstrasse is at Grosse Hamburger Strasse 29 Nearest Subway: Hackescher Markt (S3/5/7/9)

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    Nikolaiviertel: Nikolaiviertel - Nicholas Quarter
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  • Located close to Alexanderplatz is the lovely Nikolaiviertel (Nicholas Quarter). Although it looks old, this area was completely re-created in 1987-88.

    Its maze of little streets and medieval houses were created by architects to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the foundation of Berlin.
    It is a great place to have a wander around, perhaps browse in some of the shops or stop off for a meal at one of the inviting looking restaurants.

    Dominating the quarter is the Nikolaikirche (church), with its tall, thin twin spires. The church is Berlins oldest - built between 1220-1230 - though there has been several modifications to its appearance since then. Today the church is a museum and also a concert hall. It is appreciated by the experts because of its amazing acoustics.

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  • Directions: Nearest Subway: Klosterstrasse (U2)
  • Website: http://www.berlin-nikolaiviertel.de/ http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/denkmal/denkmale_in_berlin/en/kirchen/nikolaikirche.shtml

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    Fernsehturm (TV Tower): Fernsehturm - the TV Tower
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  • Located in the middle of Alexanderplatz is the impressive Berliner Fernsehturm or TV Tower. The tallest building in Berlin, this 368 metre tall tower is visible everywhere!

    The TV Tower was built from 1965-69 by the East German government, defying West German with its dizzying height. Below its lofty antenna is a shiny steel sphere, that reflects the cross from the nearby Marienkirche, called "the Pope's revenge" by the West Berliners.

    You can take a lift up to the viewing platform, 203 metres above the ground. On a clear day you can see for almost 40kms. Above the observation deck there is the Tele-Café, a revolving restaurant offering those same fabulous views.

    The TV Tower is also available for weddings, so if you fancy getting married 203 metres in the air, just speak to the Berlin-Mitte registry office and invite up to 200 of your closest friends and family!

    The only times we had the chance to go up the tower the weather was a bit grey, so we will just have to go back to Berlin and check out those views another time.

    Opening Hours: March - October: 9.00 am - midnight and November - February: 10.00 am - midnight

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  • Address: Panoramastrasse 1A, Alexanderplatz, Berlin-Mitte
  • Phone: +49 (0) 30/242 33 33
  • Directions: Nearest subway: Alexanderplatz (U2/5/8 and S5/7/75/9)
  • Website: http://www.berlinerfernsehturm.de/
  • Other Contact: info@berlinerfernsehturm.de

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