10 Best Historical sites to visit in Berlin

10 Best Historical sites to visit in Berlin

Berliner Dom by Ansgar Koreng from Wikimedia Commons

Berlin, the most populated city in the European Union, is a cultural, historical, and social centre. The city has been ruled by the German Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich. It was notably divided in half after WWII by the Berlin Wall, which was only demolished in 1989. As a result, there are several monuments, museums, and historical places to visit in order to learn more about the capital’s rich past.

There is a multitude of locations to explore, ranging from well-known historical monuments like the Reichstag to lesser-known sites such as the Berlin Flak Tower. Here are our picks for the top ten.

1. Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate by Norbert Nagel from Wikimedia Commons

The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s most recognized monument, is a beautiful Romanesque building modelled after Athens’ ancient entryway to the Acropolis. The Gate, which stands in the middle of the city, is a symbol of the German capital and is frequently named among the top ten sights to see in Berlin.

Today, people from all over the globe flock to view the Brandenburg Gate and its beautiful carvings, featuring a dramatic image of Victoria, the Roman goddess of triumph, driving a horse-drawn chariot, which was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia and completed between 1788 and 1791.

2. Reichstag

Reichstag Building by Ank Kumar from Wikimedia Commons

The historic German legislative building, the Reichstag, must not be missed on any visit to Berlin. The Reichstag Edifice as we know it now is a fusion of the old 19th-century building – extensively damaged by the historic fire of 1933 and subsequent WWII bombing – and a restoration effort that ended in 1999.

Visitors may explore more than just the spectacular building, notably the amazing roof terrace and dome, through guided excursions, which are available but must be arranged in writing well in advance.

3. Berlin Wall

Berlin Wall by Siegbert Brey from Wikimedia Commons

The Berlin Wall, maybe the most renowned of all attractions to visit in Berlin, divided the city and served as a dramatic emblem of the Cold War’s ideological conflict. The Wall, an 87-mile-long concrete barrier that divided East and West Berlin, was the most visible manifestation of the so-called “Iron Curtain” separating eastern and western Europe.

The Berlin Wall eventually fell on November 9, 1989, and was nearly fully demolished in the weeks that followed. Today, just a few sections of the wall exist, but those that do are immensely popular with both visitors and residents. The open-air East Side Gallery is the largest part, while lesser pieces may be found around the city.

4. Berliner Dom

Berliner Don, one of Berlin’s most attractive structures, is an unusually magnificent early twentieth-century Cathedral erected during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. This beautiful monument, built between 1894 and 1905, is capped with a stunning, towering dome and is now available to the public to examine.

It’s the capital’s largest and most significant Protestant church, and when considering what to visit in Berlin, this enormously popular monument is a must-see.

5. The Holocaust Memorial – Berlin

While pleasant occasions are remembered, there are a number of places that chronicle terrible episodes in the city’s history. Berlin has made a deliberate effort to ensure that the horrors of the Nazi rule and the Holocaust are never forgotten. The Holocaust Memorial is one of the most affecting places in the world.

The Holocaust Memorial is a 19,000-square-metre-large granite labyrinth that commemorates the millions of European Jews slaughtered by the Nazis. It’s a sombre and thought-provoking watch.

6. The Pergamon Museum

Berlin Mitte by
Balou46 from Wikimedia Commons

The Pergamon Museum, located on Museum Island, houses a wide and intriguing collection of ancient relics, Ancient Near Eastern art, and Islamic art. For history buffs, it is one of the top things to do in Berlin.

The museum exhibits colossal buildings like the Pergamon Altar and the Market Gate of Miletus, which are all made up of authentic elements moved from their original places in Turkey.

7. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Originally erected in the 1890s and consecrated to Kaiser Wilhelm I by his grandson Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Kaiser Wilhelm Church is now a fascinating destination to explore with its combination of Romanesque and contemporary design.

Although it appears strange from the outside – being a mostly 18th-century tower with modern concrete, steel, and glass monstrosity connected – the Church within is actually lovely, with beautiful glass walls and an epic air. A genuine one-of-a-kind experience.

8. Berlin Stasi Prison

Stasi Parson by Bjoertvedt from Wikimedia Commons

The Berlin Stasi Jail, an infamous East German prison that existed during the Cold War, is now a monument to individuals who were persecuted there. Following WWII, East Berlin was occupied by Soviet Russia as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), with the Stasi serving as the state’s official security forces. The Berlin Stasi Prison became a prison facility for anybody deemed unfriendly to the state until it was finally abolished in 1989, when the GDR began to crumble.

Today, the jail serves as a memorial to individuals who were imprisoned there and serves as a sobering reminder of the horrors committed during the Cold War. There are tours available, and visitors may watch a film on the prison’s history.

9. The Berlin Flak Tower

The Berlin Stasi Jail, an infamous East German prison that existed during the Cold War, is now a monument to individuals who were persecuted there. Following WWII, East Berlin was occupied by Soviet Russia as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), with the Stasi serving as the state’s official security forces. The Berlin Stasi Prison became a prison facility for anybody deemed unfriendly to the state until it was finally abolished in 1989 when the GDR began to crumble.

Today, the jail serves as a memorial to individuals who were imprisoned there and serves as a sobering reminder of the horrors committed during the Cold War. There are tours available, and visitors may watch a film on the prison’s history.

10. Charlottenburg Palace

Schloss Charlottenburg by Gryffindor from Wikimedia Commons

Charlottenburg, Berlin’s largest royal estate, was built in 1713 as a summer retreat for the first queen of Prussia. The architecture of one of Berlin’s most attractive museums is largely baroque, reflecting the style of the time when it was built.

Charlottenburg is now one of Berlin’s most popular tourist destinations, and tourists may enjoy a guided tour of both the Old Palace and the New Wing. Tours take guests through Sophie Charlotte’s rich family history, as well as the property’s large collection of artworks.

Berlin is an excellent choice for a European city vacation. The busy metropolis checks all the boxes, with a fantastic nightlife scene, wonderful local food, a rich history, world-famous beer, and some of the world’s most outstanding monuments and museums.