Berlin: what to see in the most eccentric and cosmopolitan city in Europe
A difficult past and a history in constant turmoil, a fascinating and always avant-garde city, ancient and modern, quiet and dynamic. This is Berlin , the capital of Germany, divided for over forty years by a wall, which became famous throughout the world under the name of “Berlin Wall” .
Berlin is today the most eccentric and cosmopolitan city in Europe, a city steeped in memories and hopes, linked to a dark and impossible to forget past, which has become the protagonist of our magazine, with a post dedicated to it.
Berlin: the top attractions of the Berlin city
The capital of Germany is certainly a safe haven for history lovers, the one that touches human sensitivity, the one that fascinates, intrigues, moves and makes us reflect. But not only. Berlin, in addition to being the guardian of a difficult history, is also a city full of art treasures.
Here are the attractions not to be missed during your stay in Berlin:
- The Berlin Wall ; between the districts of Wedding and Mitte, the Berlin Wall Memorial is preserved, where it is possible to retrace the border fortifications even today, after almost 30 years;
- Berlin Reichstag , seat of the German Parliament, this monument is the emblem of the fall of Nazism. Symbol of German democracy, the Reichstag immortalizes a Soviet soldier as he raises the flag with a hammer and sickle, one of the most beautiful attractions to see and most photographed by tourists in the world. From its splendid and imposing glass dome, you can admire all the charm of the Berlin city from above;
- Brandenburg Gate , another symbol-icon of the Cold War in Berlin, as well as an emblem of the city. Former Napoleon’s war booty back in 1806, it was one of the gates that surrounded the city of Berlin;
- The Berlin Holocaust Memorial , not far from the Brandenburg Gate, is the Berlin monument par excellence, which tells one of the saddest pages in the history of mankind. The Holocaust Memorial, an act of commemoration for the 6 million Jews exterminated by Nazism, is a suggestive and reflective experience above all, because it makes us live and relive one of the darkest and saddest moments in the history of humanity;
- The Berlin Cathedral , in Baroque style, the Berlin Cathedral is the symbol of the Lutheran religion and the power of the royal dynasty. With its copper dome, and the interior decorated with New Testament paintings, the cathedral is today one of the most visited historic cathedrals in the Berlin city.
Berlin museums: the most beautiful to visit
Mostly known for its war history, Berlin is also a city of art, full of museums and galleries, each unique in its own way. Those who visit museums in Berlin , without knowing it, take a journey through time. There is, in fact, in the German capital an area called “museum island”, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco for the priceless heritage kept inside.
The Museum Island is home to 5 museums, each of which retraces the stages of human history.
Let’s see together the most beautiful museums to visit in Berlin:
- Pergamon Museum , the most famous museum in Berlin, a must for archeology enthusiasts, a real spearhead of the museum island in Berlin. Inside, in fact, the most precious testimonies of classical, Islamic and Near Eastern culture are kept;
- Altes Museum , which literally stands for ‘ancient museum’ was the first of the five museums to be built. The Altes Museum is a real journey through time, to discover Ancient Greece, the Etruscan civilization, and ancient and imperial Rome;
- Bode Museum , entirely dedicated to Byzantine art and sculpture, ranging from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century;
- Neus Museum , which literally stands for “new museum”, houses various works of European prehistory;
- National Gallery , a tribute to nineteenth-century German painting.
Berlin: what to eat in the German capital
Famous above all for its beer, Berlin is a capital rich in history and culinary tradition. Among restaurants, pubs and bistros, you can choose to eat well and spend little.
The typical German cuisine is based on meat, potatoes and sauces, and goes well with fresh and light beers.
We have selected 4 typical dishes for you to try during your stay in Berlin:
- Curry wrustel, a must of German gastronomy, a typical Berlin dish recently born (in the 1950s) based on freshly roasted curry sausage, and served with fried potatoes, ketchup and mayonnaise;
- Kartoffelpuffer, another Berlin specialty, beloved by Germans and tourists. These are potato-based pancakes, sweet or savory, accompanied or with apple sauce or plum jam in the case of the sweet ones, cream or smoked salmon in the case of the savory ones;
- Konigsberger Klopse , a Prussian meatball specialty, topped with a wine and lemon cream;
- Apfelstrudel, a true legend of German gastronomy, a thin pastry made with apples, grapes, sugar, and bread crumbs, with a delicate and intense aroma of cinnamon. Excellent for breakfast, apfelstrudel is always served together with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The post dedicated to the German capital ends with our culinary journey. Berlin what to see? Now you know! Write us your impressions of the city in the comments!
