ALEXANDERPLATZ
Alexanderplatz |
The Alexanderplatz was originally a cattle market and it was called “Ochsenmarkt” (oxen market).
It was renamed after a visit by the Russian Tsar Alexander I.
Today it’ s a large open square and public transport hub in central Berlin, which is surrounded by several notable structures including the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), the second tallest structure in Europe, and the World Time Clock. Furthermore you can find many shops and a market hall around the square. |
MARIENKIRCHE
The construction of this late-Gothic brick church started around 1280 and it was completed in the 14th century. Following a fire the church was reconstructed in 1380 and in the 15th century a tower was added to the original building. In 1790 the tower was crowned with a dome designed by Gotthard Langhans. In the church’ s interior you find the Germany’ s oldest mural and a late Gothic fresco, the Dance of the Dead (der Totentanz). The early-Gothic hall design and the decorations make this church one of the most interesting in Berlin. |
NIKOLAIVIERTEL
Nikolaiviertel |
The Nikolaiviertel is a small district in the historical center. Some of the oldest buildings in Berlin stood here before they were destroyed during the Second World War. Between 1979 and 1987 the whole area was turned into a nice tourist-attracting area with many restaurants, cafes and shops. Interesting is the 13th century church Nikolaikirche. It has undergone many reconstructions: works started in 1402 and completed in 1877, when the two towers were added. In 1945, the church was deeply damaged by bombing and completely rebuilt in 1987. Today the church houses a museum which illustrates the history of the city. |
ROTES RATHAUS
At the border of the Nikolaiviertel quarter is the Rotes Rathaus or Red Town Hall, maybe so named because of its red brick walls. This High-Renaissance style building was designed by Hermann Friedrich Waesemann and constructed between 1861 and 1869. During the War it was severely demaged. The Rathaus was reconstructed between 1951 and 1958, later forecourt sculptures by Fritz Kremer were added. From its reconstruction it became the seat of the East Berlin Authorities. After the reunification of Germany it houses the offices of the mayor, magistrates’ offices and state rooms. |
FERNSEHTURM (TELEVISION TOWER)
Television Tower |
The second largest structure in Europe after Moscow’ s Ostankino Tower is the Television Tower (Fernsehturm) in the center of Berlin. It was built in 1969 by the former German Democratic Republic and it was used as a symbol of Modern Berlin. Today it’s one of the landmarks of the city. The height is 368 m and it’ s visible all over Berlin. In the middle of the sphere is a visitor platform and a restaurant, which turns by 360 degrees every half an hour. |
SPREE
Spree |
The river Spree runs through the centre of Berlin and joins the river Havel in the western quarters of the German capital. There were a lot of canals which formed water ways crossing the city of which the most important was the Landwehrkanal. Many Berlin tour operators offer different boat tours on the river for a relaxing afternoon in Berlin |
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