The Highlight of Berlin
Berlin is the capital of Germany; and one of the most interesting cities in Europe. In Berlin you find interesting historical sites, modern art, delicious cooking and a pulsing nightlife. A lot of the buildings were badly damaged in the final years of World War II, but today they have all been rebuilt.
After World War II, Berlin was divided into four sectors: a French, American and British sector in West Berlin and USSR sector in East Berlin). After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the city merged together and again became the capital of the reunified Germany.
The landmark of Berlin, Brandenburger Tor was originally a 26 meter (85 feet) high main gate to Berlin. Under the Cold War is stood in a waste part of East Berlin, but in 1990 reopened as a symbol of the German reunification.
The Reichstag Building (German Parliament Building) is another important historical building in Berlin. In 1933 Hitler used a fire in the dome to declare state of emergency, and in 1945 the Red Army planted a flag on the roof to declare their victory. After a major renovation in 1999 the building reopened with a new, impressive glass dome. If you would like to visit the building, you must be prepared for a long line and a heavy security check.
Berlin has many reminders of the Cold War. Check Point Charlie is one of them. The border post was originally the crossing point between the Eastern and Western part of Berlin. Today you can see reminders of a tough time in the Haus am Checkpoint museum. Here you find photos and original devices used for escapes for East- to West Berlin.
Berlin is also a shopping paradise. You can find everything for yourself or your home in the largest department store in Europe, KaDeWe. But the most exciting part is the food and beverage department located on the sixth floor. Here you can chose between 1000 different sausages, 1700 different cheeses and 800 types of bread. Even deer and wild boar can be found here. And before you buy, you can taste samples of almost everything.
If you are more into markets, Berlin has its share. The best ones are the weekend markets: Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz, Kunst- und Nostalgiemarkt at the Museumsinsel and Grosser Berliner Trdel- und Kunstmarkt at Strasse de 17. Juni in Tiergarten. Around Christmas there are also a lot of Weinachtsmrkte around the city, where you can buy Glhwein, waffles and sausages.
Today Berlin is also famous for its art scene. Around the city you find great galleries and fine modern art museums. For a look at the best ones visit the Museumsinsel and the Neue Nationalgalerie. The famous art gallery Galerie Eigen & Art is also worth a visit.