This post is by Aiden Kjeldsen, who is a UC Davis Graduate, a historian, and a world traveler. This is an essential guide to the history of the top sites in Berlin.
CheckPoint Charlie
Rather it be a thriller or spy novel set in the Cold War, all would feature the infamous Checkpoint Charlie. The name is derived from the NATO phonetic alphabet which has C (Charlie) as the third of 3 major crossing points during the split of Eastern and Western Berlin between the Western Powers and the former Soviet Union in the twilight of World War II.
It became the most well-known of the checkpoints for its tense tank confrontation on October 22, 1961, several well-documented escape attempts, and a frequent spot for visitor exchanges. Today, the site still stands as a symbol of the Cold War. The spot is commemorated by the former US Army tuba player Jeff Harper who represents the last allied soldiers in Berlin in 1994.
Topography of Terror
The hauntingly beautiful Topography of Terror is an indoor-outdoor museum complex that details the rise and fall of the German Reich as well as its history in the Cold War era. The museum was the previous SS Reich Security main office which was bombed flat in 1945 by the Allied soldiers. The site utilizes primary sources in the form of Newspaper articles from each year of the Reich’s rising and falling.
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall is the famous site of the divide between the Western Democratic side, and Eastern Communist USSR side. The Wall is a physical symbol of the split of the Western powers against the imposing USSR. While the Soviet side portrayed the wall as a protection against the ‘Fascist powers of the West’, the Democratic side saw the wall as a restriction on their city.
The Wall lasted from 1961 to 1989 and the deconstruction was cemented by President Ronal Regan’s Berlin Wall speech on June 12th, 1987. In this speech, he famously declared the final blow to the wall in his statement “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this Wall”. This specific speech line as well as the Berlin Wall remains a point of United States pop culture.
Platz des Volkaufstandes
Known in English as “People Uprising Square” stands a hidden gem of Berlin. The building unannounced to many, served as the Ministry of Aviation during the Nazi regime. Post-WWII, the building became the “House of Ministries” in East Berlin, a significant governmental seat where workers gathered during the uprising of June 17th, 1953.
The building features a 1952 mural in the style of “Socialist Realism,” portraying optimistic working-class individuals, and a glass memorial in front, contrasting the mural with an enlarged black-and-white photo of strikers heading to the House of Ministries.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (also known as the Holocaust Memorial), is a significant historical site located in the heart of Berlin, Germany. The memorial was officially inaugurated on May 10, 2005, and it serves as a central place for remembrance of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
The memorial is an abstract representation, and its meaning is open to interpretation. Some see it as a representation of the vast number of Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust, while others view it as a reflection of the disorder and chaos of the time. Currently, it stands as a somber reminder of the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust and serves as a place for reflection, remembrance, and education about the atrocities of the past.
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is a highlight and famous historic landmark. Built between 1788 and 1791, the gate was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia as a symbol of peace. The structure consists of six columns topped by a chariot statue.
Throughout its history, the Brandenburg Gate witnessed significant events, including Napoleon’s occupation of Berlin and a frequent site of Hitler’s rallies during WWII. Presently, it is seen as a symbol of German reunification when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Today, the Brandenburg Gate stands as a symbol of unity and is a popular tourist attraction and spot for many Berlin events.
Republic Square (Reichstag building)
The Reichstag was originally constructed in the late 19th century to house the German Imperials. It was the site of the founding proclamation of the Weimar Republic in 1918 and also a 1933 fire at the Reichstag provided the rise of the Nazis and Adolf Hitler. On the right side of the building, the fire scorch marks are still visible.
After World War II, the Reichstag building fell into disuse and disrepair. Following German reunification in 1990, the building underwent extensive renovation.
Now, Republic Square and the Reichstag have become symbols of German democracy. The square is a site for public gatherings and protests, reflecting the nation’s commitment to democratic values. The Reichstag building itself serves as the seat of the German Bundestag (parliament), representing the heart of the country’s political life.
