Berlin's Top Ten Sights - Under den Linden

Under den Linden and Berlin Cathedral
Unter den Linden is one of the oldest streets in Berlin. In 1647 the Great Elector created a road that was planted with lime trees (Linden). Unter den Linden has many historic buildings, souvenir shops and restaurants. The Armory (Zeughaus), built 1695-1706, is the oldest building in the street. It was originally used as an arsenal. Today it houses the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum). Permanent and changing exhibitions explain the history of Germany.
The famous Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel built the New Guard House (Neue Wache) 1816-1818. Originally it was a guardhouse for the troops of the crown prince of Prussia.
Today the New Guard House serves as the “Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Victims of War and Tyranny” (open 10.00-18.00).

Neue Wache and Zeughaus



The Humboldt Universität (Humboldt University) was built 1746-66, formerly as a palace for prince Henry, a brother of Frederick II. In 1810 the newly founded Berlin University moved in. Originally it was called Friedrich-Willhelm Universität. But after the Second World War, it was named after one of its founders, the Berlin scientist Wilhelm Humboldt.
Humboldt University

Opposite of the Humboldt University lies Bebelplatz. It was laid out by the Prussian king Frederick II, who was also called Frederick the Great. St. Hedwig's Cathedral was built 1747-1773 at the request of the Catholic community. The Royal Library, known as the “chest of drawers” was built 1775-1780. Today the building houses rooms of the Humboldt University. But Bebelplatz also has a dark history: On 10 May 1933 the Nazis burned here books by writers they hated like Erich Kästner, Alfred Kerr and Kurt Tucholsky. The monument "Sunken Library" by Micha Ullman recalls this distressing event.
The Royal Library





The eldest opera house in Berlin, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Berlin State Opera), dates from 1743. In Prinzessinnenpalais and Kronprinzenpalais lived until 1918 members of the Prussian royal family.
Majestically rises the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) in front of the visitor. It was built 1894-1905 by Julius Raschdorf. Inside are the Hohenzollern crypt and the impressive dome worth to see.
The garden in front of the Berliner Dom is called Pleasure Garden (Lustgarten)  The park has been used as a public park, parade ground, a place for mass marches and rallies. It is now - again - a public park. The building, which is in front of you, is the Old Museum (Altes Museum). It belongs to Museum Island.
Berlin Cathedral

Tip: A branch of the popular Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is located in Unter den Linden.

Unter den Linden
How to get there:
Train: S1, S2, S25, S5, S7, S75 (Friedrichstr.) S1, S2, S25 (Brandenburger Tor)
Underground: U6 (Friedrichstr.), U55 (Brandenburger Tor)
Bus: 147, 200, TXL
Tram:12, M1

Popular posts from this blog

Berlin's Town Halls

Image
Some of Berlin's town halls look like castles, some are still used and some not. Berlin has a variety of them. Due to the union of several districts, some of the town halls are no longer used as government seats. Today we are going to take a closer look at the best known and most impressive ones. By the way, the German name for town hall is Rathaus. Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall) Berlin’s main town hall was built 1861-1869 by Hermann Waesemann. A frieze around the building tells Berlin's history. The tower is 74 meters high. During the division of Berlin, the government of East Berlin used the building. The politicians of West Berlin met in the town hall in Schöneberg. Opposite the Rotes Rathaus lies the Altes Stadthaus (old townhouse) . It was opened in 1911, because the Rotes Rathaus could no longer accommodate all the offices! Rathausstraße 15 10178 Berlin Bus: 100, 200, M48 The Rotes Rathaus is Berlin's best known town hall. The Altes Stadthaus l
Read more

Berlin's Top Sights - the village of Marienfelde

Image
Marienfelde is actually a suburb in the south of Berlin that belongs to the district of Tempelhof. If you drive along Marienfelder Allee, leave it to visit  a village made of some splendid houses, farmhouses, two ponds and an old church. village green in Marienfelde   Gutspark Marienfelde With   53 hectares the Gutspark Marienfelde may be quite small, but it is a beautiful recreational area for the locals.  You will find a little paradise here in the summer: benches provide shelter from the burning sun, a fountain splatters and you can relax on lawns. Children can play in the playground. I don't know any place in Berlin that has so many snowdrops as the Gutspark Marienfelde,   but as soon as you see them, you know that spring is here! Lehmann's farm on the village of Marienfelde Eggs, honey, freshly baked bread, many regional sausages and cheese specialties, are among the products you can find on Lehmann's farm - the only farm in Marienfelde! And it
Read more

Berlin's city walls

Image
Everybody knows the famous Berlin wall, but the German capital  had actually four city walls. None of them still exists, but you can still find remains or discover their traces. Medieval town wall The first one was erected during medieval times, you can still find a large piece of it in Klosterstrasse, near the Restaurant “Zur Letzten Instanz".    U Bahn:  U2 (Klosterstraße)    the medieval wall in Klosterstraße is the oldest of Berlin's city walls The Fortress T he second wall belonged to a fortress that was built by the order of the “Great Elector" Frederick William (1620-1688) shortly after the 30 Years' War. Contruction of it began in 1658. The fortress was torn down in 1744. A tower of it, the Wusterhausener Bär, still exists in Köllnischer Park.  U2 (Märkisches Museum)   the Wusterhausener Bär The Customs Wall The third wall in Berlin was the Berlin Customs Wall (Berliner Zoll-und Akzisemauer). It came into being from 17
Read more