El símbolo más reconocido de Alemania no es tan grande como creen muchos visitantes, pero tiene una historia rica y fascinante. Construida en 1791, la Puerta de Brandenburgo fue hecha a semejanza de la entrada a la Acrópolis en Atenas. La estatua de la Cuadriga que corona la Puerta, diseñada por el escultor Gottfried Schadow, representa a Victoria, la diosa de la paz, sobre una carroza tirada por cuatro caballos. Esta era una de las 14 puertas originales de Berlín, pero lo único que queda de las otras son los nombres de algunas estaciones de subterráneo, como Kottbusser Tor y Schlesisches Tor. La Puerta de Brandenburgo y Pariser Platz han presenciado numerosos eventos históricos turbulentos. En el ala sur encontrarán una oficina de información turística (abierta de lunes a domingo, de 10 AM a 6 PM).
When you think of Berlin, the first word that likely comes to mind is the Wall. After being torn down, there is not much of the Berlin Wall which remains intact. The longest section of the Wall to be spared, which is 1.3 kilometers (0.81 miles) runs parallel to the River Spree between Kreuzberg in the West and Friedrichshain in the East. In the months following the fall of the Wall in 1989, 118 artists from all over the world flocked here to pay their tributes. The result is an open-air gallery containing a host of colorful and imaginative images, some satirical, some shocking and others puzzling. An important part of Berlin's cultural heritage, this landmark is one of the largest open-air galleries in the entire world.
Muchos la recuerdan del film de 1987 de Wim Wenders "Alas de Deseo", pero la vista desde la Columna de la Victoria de unos 69 metros de altura hace que valga la pena haber subido los 285 escalones. Construida en 1873 para conmemorar las victorias militares de Prusia contra Dinamarca, Austria y Francia, la Columna de la Victoria originalmente se encontraba frente al Reichstag, pero fue trasladada a su ubicación actual en el centro del Tiergarten por el régimen Nazi en 1938. La estatua dorada de la Diosa de la Victoria puede verse desde todas partes de la ciudad y es uno de los emblemas más atractivos de Berlín. Desde 1995, la Columna de la Victoria ha sido el epicentro del Love Parade, que se celebra todos los años en Berlín y que reune a cientos de miles de parranderos que festejan en el Tiergarten en el nombre del amor.
Strolling through the windswept square between the TV Tower, the Town Hall and the Palast der Republik, you may unexpectedly stumble across an exquisite baroque fountain known as the Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain). Built a hundred years ago and severely damaged during the World War II, it was removed from its original site close to the former Royal Palace, thoroughly restored and then re-erected at Alexanderplatz. Surrounded by faceless socialist architecture, the intricate fountain seems slightly out of place here, yet this simply adds to its fascination.
The Soviet War Memorial (Tiergarten) is one of Germany's most visited war memorials. Located in Berlin, Germany's capital city, this war memorial was built to honor the martyred soldiers belonging to Soviet Armed Forces. Construction of this structure was completed in the year 1945. This memorial remembers those who laid down their lives in the Battle of Berlin fought in 1945. In close proximity to the Reichstag, it is now frequented by visitors from across the world.
Tras la caida del Muro de Berlín en 1989, Potsdamer Platz pasó de ser un desierto a uno de los más grandes sitios de construcción de toda Europa, ya que los planeadores urbanos trabajaron arduamente para construir una ciudad ultramoderna en el centro de la Berlín unificada. Los únicos restos de la vieja Potsdamer Platz son la histórica Haus Huth y el majestuoso salón de baile del Hotel Esplanade, que ha sido audazmente incorporado al Sony Center. Aproximadamente la mitad de la zona está compuesta por edificios de oficinas; el resto está dividido entre complejos de entretenimiento como el IMAX y el fantástico centro comercial..
Urania-Weltzeituhr stands for Urania World Clock. It is a ten meter high metallic world clock built in the capital city. It is a popular eye catchy landmark and a historic structure built in 1969. Today, the locals and tourists consider this place to be a common meeting point.
No other square in Berlin has changed its name quite as often as Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. And that's saying something, because each new political regime in the German capital has traditionally set about renaming streets and squares after its own particular heroes. Previously known as Bülowplatz, East German authorities renamed the square in the fifties after their favorite national hero, Rosa Luxemburg. The central point of interest on the square is the Volksbühne am Rosa Luxemburg Platz theatre, one of the liveliest and creative stages in Berlin. Equally popular is Babylon cinema, an independent cinema with a long tradition.
Although plans are afoot to radically redesign Alexanderplatz, the square is still dominated by socialist buildings whose architectural beauty still attracts attention. One of these, Haus des Lehrers, is marked by an impressive 125 metre long mural which wraps its way around the building. Painted by Walter Womancka, this colorful depiction of "the perfect socialist life" is a classic example of the kind of art once promoted by East German authorities for propaganda purposes. Erected in 1964, the building represented a break with the monumental architecture of the Stalin era and a move towards a more cosmopolitan and transparent style. Originally built as a congress center for teachers, the building is now used for exhibitions and cultural events.
Strolling through the windswept square between the TV Tower, the Town Hall and the Palast der Republik, you may unexpectedly stumble across an exquisite baroque fountain known as the Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain). Built a hundred years ago and severely damaged during the World War II, it was removed from its original site close to the former Royal Palace, thoroughly restored and then re-erected at Alexanderplatz. Surrounded by faceless socialist architecture, the intricate fountain seems slightly out of place here, yet this simply adds to its fascination.
Built in the begining of the 19th Century, the Altes Stadthaus or the Old Town House of Berlin was designed by Ludwig Hoffmann. A major part of the building was destroyed during the World War II but it was later painstakingly conserved and rebuilt. After the construction of a New Town house, the Altes Stadthaus was less frequented by the city's residents as it could not accommodate the Berlin's growing population but it still stands proudly as an eminent attraction.
Anlegestelle Jannowitzbrücke is a beautiful pier on the banks of River Spree. It has a bar from where you can enjoy views of boats and the riverside buildings while sipping refreshing drinks. Visitors can also board a ship to Landwehr Canal or embak on long trips along the river. The Anlegestelle Märkisches Ufer is another prominent pier situated on the opposite bank.