Five Highlights from Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe with an intense, rich history. Berlin was first mentioned in records dating back to 1237, but in comparison to many metropolises in Europe, it is a fairly young city. For Americans however, it is a treasure trove of fascination and an endless supply of wonder.

The Berlin cathedral, located in the Mitte borough, was first built in 1451. Over time, several buildings were added and modified, each adopting the architectural elements favored during the associated time period. Former members of the ruling class are buried in crypts within the cathedral. Construction of the Berliner Dom, designed by Julius Raschdorf, was completed in 1905. Added as a symbol of the empire's power, it did not survive Allied bombing during World War II. In 1975, the government of the German Democratic Republic allowed reconstruction efforts to convene, bringing an influx of Deutsche Marks into East Germany. The communist government also demanded that the northern wing of the church be demolished, purely for ideological reasons, and had as many crosses removed as possible from the structure. The demolition and reconstruction cost some 800,000 Marks while the original reparations to the dome only cost 50,000 Marks. 

Berlin Cathedral

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most iconic images in Europe; it stands as a symbol of Berlin's tumultuous history and its commitment to peace and unity. In the beginning, Berlin was a fortified city, protected by a large wall with a series of gates––a common feature of many medieval cities in Europe. The Brandenburg Gate was commissioned by Fredrick William II of Prussia and was completed in 1791. It stands at the site of a former city gate and road that once lead to Brandenburg an der Havel. The Brandenburg Gate has a long tradition of being center stage during significant historical events such as the Nazi torchlight parade in January 1933 when Hitler was named Reich chancellor. Like so many other buildings in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate was badly damaged during Allied bombing during World War II. After the war, it became partially inaccessible, partitioned off by the Berlin Wall. On 12 June 1987, US President Ronald Reagan stood in front of the Brandenburg Gate and said in one of his most memorable speeches, "Mr. Gorbechev open this gate. Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall." True to spirit as a place where history happens, the Brandenburg Gate was center stage during the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, and witnessed the beginning of the German Reunification process in 1990. The Brandenburg Gate was thoroughly restored to its original design in 2002.

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

No less famous than the Brandenburg Gate is another historical edifice, the Reichstag Building––the parliamentary building––constructed in 1894. One of the most infamous events in Germany's history occurred here in February 1933, when a portion of it was set on fire. A young Dutch communist caught at the scene admitted to starting the fire; he was tried and executed for the crime, along with four others. The Nazi's used the fire as proof that the communists were plotting against the government. Afterward, a decree was enacted to suspend the civil liberties of members of the communist party. Communists, including several members of parliament, were arrested in the name of protecting state security. This move allowed Hitler to consolidate parliamentary power, and the Nazis were instantly a majority. This event is considered a pivotal moment in the Nazi's rise to power. It is widely rumored however, that the fire was set by members of the Nazi party as a means to further their cause. The Nazi's used the Reichstag for military purposes from 1933 on, and during the Battle of Berlin in 1945, the Red Army successfully captured it, primarily for symbolic purposes. After the war, the Reichstag, left in ruins, fell into disuse as Germany was divided, each government finding a new location to conduct government business. During the 1960's the Reichstag was lightly repaired but complications caused by the Four-Power Agreement on Berlin, made use of the Reichstag impossible to agree upon. On 3 October 1990, the Reichstag was chosen as the site for the official reunification of Germany and in 1999, it was reopened to parliament after reconstruction was completed. Many items of historical significance were left in the building, including graffiti left by Russian soldiers, as a way for Germans to remember their past. The large cupola dome atop the building, which was added during reconstruction, offers a 360 degree view of the Berlin cityscape, but also stands as a symbol of government transparency and oversight.

The Reichstag Building

The Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and several other government buildings outline the Berlin Tiergarten. Originally created as a hunting ground in the 1830's, it is the largest urban park in Berlin. A beautiful, tranquil place that runs along the River Spree, the trees within have witnessed the dark political history of Berlin to include murders of well known Marxists and socialists post World War I. During the Nazi years, the Tiergarten was considered the only safe place in Berlin to discuss private matters, where one could walk and talk without fear of being easily followed or overheard by nosy neighbors or Gestapo wiretaps. Members of the Red Orchestra, a Nazi resistance movement in Berlin, also used the Tiergarten as a place to pass information to the Russians. After World War II, when Berliners were freezing, starving, and living in ruins, the Tiergarten fell victim to deforestation. Turning away from its dark history, the park was later protected by German legislation laws. A place of relaxation, recreation, and enjoyment, the bio-diverse environment is home to several large sculptures including the Carillon, or bell tower, the fourth largest musical instrument in the world. A gift from Daimier-Benz CEO Edzard Reuter for Berlin's 750th birthday, the Carillon is a manually played instrument standing 42 meters tall, comprising 68 bells. Every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., between May and September, Berlin carillonneur Jeffrey Bossin plays a concert for all in the park to enjoy. Today the Tiergarten hosts concerts, events, parades, and is the start for the annual Berlin marathon. In 2008, US President Barack Obama spoke to over 200,000 Berliners in the Tiergarten.

Carillon in the Berlin Tiergarten

Following the curves of the River Spree, along the edge of the Tiergarten, is the German Federal Chancellery––the executive office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Berlin Chancellery is one of the largest government headquarters buildings in the world and is 10 times the size of the White House. The postmodern designed chancellery was opened in 2001 and has a private apartment atop for the chancellor; however, Chancellor Merkel prefers her own private apartment in Berlin. Chancellor Merkel grew up in the eastern part of Berlin and entered into politics following German reunification. In 2005, she became the first female Chancellor of Germany, and has held the seat ever since. In 2012 and 2015, Forbes named her the world's second most powerful person. In May 2015, Forbes also named Merkel the most powerful woman in the world for the ninth year in a row, and in December 2015, Time magazine named Merkel person of the year. Since the New Year's Eve 2015 assaults, Chancellor Merkel has been seeking tougher deportation laws that will make it easier to deport migrants who have committed a crime.

German Federal Chancellery