Squares in Berlin








Some are big and some are small. Some are historic and some are modern. Some play a major part in the development of our town and some only a minor one. Berlin's squares - either you hate or you love them!  Three of the eldest squares have geometrical forms: they are Pariser Platz,  laid out as the Quarré, Leipziger Platz  laid out as the Octagon and Mehringplatz laid out as the Rondell. They were constructed around 1730 and got their present names later. By the way, platz is the German word for square and we are going to visit the most notables now.


 

 

 

Modern squares

Alexanderplatz 

Long ago Alexanderplatz was a cattle and wool market. Alexanderplatz was redeveloped under the GDR government into the square you see today.The other main attraction apart from the television tower (Fernsehturm) is the Weltzeituhr (world-time clock), where you can check the time all over the world. It is a popular meeting point.Another meeting point is the Neptunbrunnen (Neptune fountain).The Haus des Lehrers (house of the teacher) has a frieze depicting socialist life.

S-Bahn: S5, S7, S75

Underground: U2, U5, U8

Bus:100, 200, M48

Tram: M2
Neptunbrunnen at Alexanderplatz


  Breitscheidtplatz 

Here is the home of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche and the Europa-Center. The fountain near the Europa-Center is known as the Weltkugelbrunnen (world ball fountain) and delights Berlin and its visitors for over 30 years now.

  Bus:100, 200, M19, M29

Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz is fascinating at every time of the season. During the day you can shop, visit Legoland, the Filmmuseum, do some shopping, marvel at the great modern architecture and during the night? Well, things really get going! There are plenty of restaurants, clubs, and bars to entertain you all night.

S-Bahn: Potsdamer Platz, (S1, S2, S25)  

Underground: U2, U5

 Bus:200, M48, M85




Historic squares

  According to many people, Gendarmenmarkt  is the most beautiful square in Berlin. There are the French and German dome and the Konzerthouse, with the statue of the famous German poet Schiller in front of it.

  Underground: U2 (Französische Straße, Hausvogteiplatz)



  Chamisso Platz in Kreuzberg is full of historical houses, erected at the end of the 19th century. Look at the Cafė Achteck, a green toilet house. Cafė Achtecks were quite common in 19th century Berlin and only a few survive today. The Heidelberger Krug is a traditional Berliner Kneipe.

  How to get there: U6 (Mehringdamm) 

Houses at Chamissoplatz





Bebelplatz lies off Unter den Linden. St. Hedwig's cathedral with its cupola is its main sight. Another sight is the Königliche Bibliothek (Royal Library). It was built in 1780 and houses now rooms of the nearby Humboldt University. Hidden in the pavement lies another library, with empty shelves! The Sunken Library is a memorial, to commemorate the burning of books by the Nazis on 10. May 1933. 

Bus:100, 200 (Unter den Linden)




Mariannenplatz

  In Kreuzberg is one of the largest squares in Berlin. It was laid out in the 1850’s. The sights are: Künstlerhaus Bethanien, the former hospital, erected in 1847, is now an art center. The second sight is St.Thomas church, erected 1865-69 it is one of the largest churches in Berlin.

 Bus 140 (Mariannenplatz)
Künstlerhaus Bethanien


Theodor-Heuss-Platz

The Haus des Rundfunks ("House of Broadcasting"), is the oldest self-contained broadcasting house in the world (1931). The tall building with the inscription “rbb” is the regional television center. On the square burns an eternal flame (since 1955) to commemorate the refugees and exiles. Nearby are the Funkturm and the Messehallen (home of many fairs)

 How to get there: U2(Theodor-Heuss-Platz)

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Platz der Luftbrücke

This square commemorates an important event in Berlin’s history. From 24 June 1948 - 12 May 1949, the Soviets blocked the service roads to West-Berlin to stop supplies.The allies had a clever plan, they decided to provide Berlin with supplies by an airlift. Thousands of planes flew from West-Germany to Berlin. A memorial was erected on this place to commemorate this outstanding accomplishment and the pilots who lost their lives.

How to get there: U6 (Platz der Luftbrücke)
Platz der Luftbrücke


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