Things to do in Berlin

by Dacia Zimmer (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find Germany

Visiting the Capital of any country, in my opinion, will give you great insight as to what to expect in the rest of land. Berlin, for example, was a great Capital to visit because it has so much to offer due to it’s rich history, art, culture and food scene. Day One Begin your trip to Berlin at the famous Brandenburg Gate, which is one of the city's most well-known landmarks. The gate was built between the years of 1788-1791 using sandstone for the base and was topped with The Quadriga in 1793. Shortly after the gate was built, Napoleon stole the Quadriga statue atop the gate in 1806, and then it also was damaged during WWII. After the Berlin Wall fell, it has served as a symbol of the unification of Berlin. Just around the corner from the Brandenburg Gate is the Reichstag Dome, a large glass dome that sits atop the Reichstag Parliament Building. You will need to check into the building, so bring your passport or ID with you and be prepared to go through security. The dome was designed to symbolize Berlin’s attempt to move away from Nazism and towards a united democratic government. During the day, the architectural design of the dome brings natural light into the heart of the building, and at night, the dome becomes a beacon on the city skyline. As you take the two-sided ramp up through the dome, the audio tour (for an extra fee) explains the different buildings in the 360-degree view of the area and places to visit after the tour. Head back down to try a famous German sausage called a smoked Weisswurst Sausage. They are usually white in nature, but when smoked, they have a darker color. After this, venture around to some local bars, some are underground like Bar Tausend or perhaps you prefer to be on the roof and should visit Klunkerkranich before turning in for the night. Day Two The next morning, head to the U-Bahn, which is the underground railway system used in Berlin. My phone not only took beautiful pictures, but it also got me to where I needed to be via GPS. In this case, it only took a few stops for the subway to reach the famous Berlin Cathedral. After you get off the subway, walk a few blocks to the backside of the cathedral, which is equally as beautiful as the front. The river flows right past the church, which is the perfect backdrop for pictures. Keep in mind that you’ll need a ticket to enter the dome, church, and crypt. Also, be prepared to take an upward hike to the top of the building and then down to the crypt. The crypt is worth seeing, especially since the history of the cathedral dates back to the 15th century. After visiting the Berlin Cathedral, head to the border crossing known as Checkpoint Charlie. As a fun fact, the name “Checkpoint Charlie” comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.). There were three allied border crossings; one was at Helmstedt-Marienborn (named Alpha), the second at Dreilinden-Drewitz (named Bravo), so it only seemed fitting to call this one Checkpoint Charlie. This is where my uncle was stationed during the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. I took a tour of the area where the wall once stood and where my Uncle once lived. Whether you have a personal connection here or not, it is extremely touching to hear the stories. While it was emotional for me, it was well worth standing where my uncle once stood. After the tour, head onto your next adventure to the Berlin Wall Mural. The Berlin Wall is known around the world as the divider between East and West Berlin. Now it is known as the world’s largest open-air gallery, featuring artists from across the globe. One of the most famous pieces of symbolic Cold War artwork is the “Fraternal Kiss” by Russian artist Dmitri Vrubel, so make sure not to miss that one! Historical sites are abundant in Berlin, and this trip made me appreciate my ancestry. Thank you to Deutschland.de for giving me all of the information.