10 tragic Berlin landmarks that will melt your heart

Published on by 100cobbledroads

One walk you must take…

Berlin has come a long way from the time Slovenians discovered a marshy, swampy fishing village (ber-lin), way back in the 1500s. Cut to a few centuries later…post WWII and communist era, not only did the city survive, spirit intact, but reinvented itself yet again. There are at least 4000 live construction sites all over the city today…talk about work in progress!

The best way to immerse into the essence of Berlin by taking an escorted walking tour of its historic sights. A fascinating half-day is all it takes to relive the entire gloomy ’40s. And when you’ve walked down this stark, dark memory lane of dictators, war and oppression, you’ll be recommending Berlin to everyone you know too. Here are the unforgettable landmarks from the walk:

1. Berlin Cathedral

Crossing one of the 1700 pretty bridges on the river Spree (that’s more than those in Venice or Amsterdam), near the Museum Island of Berlin, first stop to ogle at spectacular monument on the left bank of the river. The baroque Berlin Cathedral with its massive green dome, 225 feet high and 100 feet in diameter, punctuated with circular skylights is noticeably inspired by the St. Peters at Vatican. This portrait of utter magnificence marks the beginning of the Royal Avenue, an area once lined by a plethora of monuments, including the imperial palace, museums, churches, institutions and administrative buildings. Most were razed to the ground during the war and what remains, including the Cathedral, has been carefully reassembled post-war. Take a few minutes to digest that.

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2. Humboldt University

Move on to the hallowed institution where Einstein, Lenin and Karl Marx once taught. Ponder upon the infamous incident, where masses of students, in a bid to show support for the communist movement, burnt thousands of books written by leaders and thinkers like Ernest Hemingway, and Jews like Einstein and Freud. Peer down the unusual underground memorial on the University grounds through its glass ceiling. Its walls are lined with empty book shelves…symbolically conveying the ‘presence of absence’. On the pavement nearby, over makeshift wooden stands, second hand books and reprints of the destroyed books are still sold for charity…a whimsical, long-standing tradition.

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3. Checkpoint Charlie

This ominous entry way between East and West Berlin, once heavily guarded by the American troops is now just a harmless tourist spot. A sign from the past reminds, “You are entering the American sector. Carrying weapons off duty forbidden. Obey traffic rules”. Study the wall mural of black and white pictures from the Nazi era…a   time of extremes, when one either conformed or was killed.

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4. Berlin Wall

Minutes away, stands one of the few still-intact portions of the Berlin Wall. Imagine…right behind was the headquarters of Gestapo and SS. To think that the entire wall was actually made overnight under heavy guard by Soviets to ban movement of people. A double wall of reinforced concrete with an L-base so it couldn’t be pushed over or smashed. A sewer pipe running over it, so that there was nothing solid to hold on to. ‘No man’s land beyond…filled with landmines, electric fencing, spotlights, rigging and traps. Orders to shoot at sight and incredible escape stories. Times of absolute terror.

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5. Nazi building

Opposite is the only surviving Nazi building in the city, where the Tom Cruise blockbuster, Walkyrie, was shot. Behind the austere grey stone wall facade and iron-grill windows is a modern day tax office. The structure continues to exude fear even today…fear of a different kind! Visualise a group of Nazi soldiers marching out in official uniforms (which, evidently were designed by Hugo Boss). I felt a sudden loathing for Hugo Boss. Maybe you will too.

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6. Elser Memorial

So deep-rooted and intense is the hatred associated with the horrors of Hitler’s regime, that Germans went all out to wipe out his very traces. The Fuhrer is said to have survived 16 assassination attempts, including a failed bomb attack by George Elser, in whose memory an unusual assassin memorial has been erected. Study the 17-meter high steel outline of Elser’s face floating above the trees, wondering how the silhouette would look softly illuminated at night, a 200,000 euro reminder of a martyr rebel’s efforts gone in vain.

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7. Hitler’s Bunker

Apparently, Hitler knew that people hated him so much they would have tortured him even after he died. So he ordered that his body be cremated. After his reported suicide by shooting himself in his bunker, the body was identified by its jawline…he had metallic wires from rotted teeth. A modest apartment block stands over the spot of his underground bunker with nothing but a nondescript board to signify the area. A manhole sits over the spot where his body was cremated. A harsh, pathetic end for a hated ‘world leader’!

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8. Holocaust Memorial

Not far is the Holocaust Memorial designed by Peter Eisenmann. Spread over an area of 205,000 square feet, the Memorial has 2700 upright concrete slabs, varying in heights, each five-sided and unique in size and shape, making up a maze of lanes. Stroll through the maze simply to experience the sheer numbers of people the Nazis killed. The calm coral and blue tinged dusk lends a soft glow to the austere monoliths and slivers of light peek through the walkways, guiding you through the maze. By the time you move out, the sun may have set and the maze would be completely dark. The colours of the stone slabs will have transformed from silver grey to a dark black. This is a strange walk…leaving you feel disoriented, unstable, lost. Maybe that is the impact Eisenmann intended to create.

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9. Reichstag

Feel a mood change from solemn to awe-inspired as you reach the German Parliament (Reichstag). The glass dome height is as high as the Eiffel Tower of Paris…a symbol of political transparency perhaps? Come back for a public tour inside, if time permits. Hitler had bombed this building at 5-6 places at the same time while trying to overtake the government. His plan was to redesign the building on a grand scale, to accommodate 2 lac people inside, 1 million outside, but that never saw the light of day. Picture him standing there in the midst of the rubble, the hint of devious triumph on his face…that strange little man…with so much death and destruction to his credit! A shiver run up your spine?

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10. Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate was constructed in 1791 to celebrate the city’s status as Prussia’s capital. Reflect on the statue of Joan of Arc riding the four horse chariot perched atop the pillared gate, illuminated by a blue iridescent light. Napoleon had it removed in 1806 and held hostage in Paris for 12 years! Interestingly, the Germans got it back after their victory over France.

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It is dark now and Brandenburg Gate is all lit up, as are the buildings lining the avenue. Take a horse carriage ride, relive a charming medieval experience, or simply stroll along the elegant, wide boulevard stretching ahead of you, lined on both sides with diplomatic embassies. This is the iconic spot where Berlin comes together on 3rd of October to commemorate the coming down of the Wall. This is biggest party place in the country, this is where Berlin’s ‘fan mile’ begins. Visualise cheerful chants, unending beer showers, a crowd speckled with the German black, red and gold flag colours, sheer ecstasy of the moment and mass mania!

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That night, like me, you might dream of Hitler leaping off the glass-domed Reichstag roof in a dramatic escape after planting a bomb and being chased by his own convoy of Nazi soldiers through the deserted streets of the city. Brain working overtime for twisted justice? Nah..just Berlin seeping into your soul.

85 thoughts on “10 tragic Berlin landmarks that will melt your heart”

  2. Growing up in the post war era, the Berlin Wall is still in my memory as it was in the news regularly. It was a fantastic day when i heard on the news that the people had taken control and were pulling it down.Thanks for the tip about the walking tours.

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  3. Berlin is probably the biggest gap in my European travels and your beautiful post has reminded me once again that I really do want to visit and see the historical sights, plus some modern ones too. Thanks for this post, really enjoyed reading it.

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  4. What an interesting post, and so many fascinating historical places to visit. You didn’t do all these in a day, I’m sure. How long were you in Berlin to visit all these places?

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  6. Reading this post I could feel the sadness and heaviness of these historical landmarks. There’s such dark history in Berlin, but it’s fascinating to me (as some who hasn’t been there, but has heard about it from others) how it’s become a place for artists and entrepreneurs, and freethinkers who don’t fit into the box. I think even with it’s history Berlin shows that a place can overcome it’s past.

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  8. This is such a good read. I feel like I was there with you. I have been to Berlin three times, but only once since the wall came down. I wish I had taken a walking tour. While I think I saw all of these sites, I missed the power behind them that I can really feel reading this. Also, it’s the details we missed, like the manhole marking his cremation spot.

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  9. Interesting post. Even though I’ve been to Germany numerous times now I’ve never made it across to Berlin. I think that might have to change after reading this post.
    Cheers
    James

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  10. The walk through Berlin can make you feel the terror and pain that the history saw. The tragic history of berlin unsettles me and the emotion of loss and grief that engulfs me is unexpected. I just have to visit Berlin to understand them all.

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  11. It’s terrifying when you thing this all happened not so long ago. That’s why it’s important to rememorate everything and visit some of the memorials from time to time. But it’s also great to visit the Berlin from today, with its joy of living, its multiculturalism and its new gained youth. Berlin is a city that makes you reflect a lot !

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  14. Sounds like a really impactful tour you’ve got here. A great way to learn about Germany’s history and also reflect on some of the darker parts of time. The Holocaust Memorial looks significantly powerful. Just seeing your photos, I felt a bit lost. I can’t imagine walking through in person.

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  15. I’ve never been to Berlin yet, so definitely taking notes of these landmarks for future visit. Knowing some places and information about Germany’s capital is a good head-start before visiting. 🙂

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  16. Berlin.. I love this city. For a first time visitor, this is probably the best path. But the city is full of secrets and hidden gems. That’s why I would go again and again.

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  17. There’s so much sad but important history in this city. I’ve always wanted to go – especially after visiting Munich and pondering some of the same dark parts of history. It’s important to visit memorials and sites like this while traveling, no matter how somber.

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  18. There are so many tragic places in Berlin. I visited some of these but not all of them. The Holocaust Memorial is especially moving. But I did not know about Hugo Boss’s Nazi connection. How disturbing…

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  19. Thank you for sharing. Berlin is high on my list but I haven’t had a chance to visit (or anywhere else in Germany for that matter). I did visit Auschwitz while I was in Poland and it was one of the most difficult places I’ve ever been to (my dad’s side of the family are Jews who escaped from what is now Ukraine).

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    1. Germany is a great country and so rich in history, culture, architecture. You can refer to my other Germany posts by searching for Heidelberg, Dresden, Romantic Road in the search box. Perhaps you may add more German destinations to your list.

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  20. I have been to a few of these places when I visited Berlin. The Holocaust Memorial is very moving. I also went to hitlers bunker, the cathedral and the brandenburg gate. Still so many places to see so I need to go back for another visit.

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  21. Berlin is one of my favourite cities and I recently visited all these landmarks in December again. It’s so ironic to me that Hitler’s Bunker is now nothing more than a car park, it seems pretty fitting. Thanks for such an informative post.

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    1. Thanks so much, Crystal. I suppose its about how deep one chooses to immerse in one’s travels. I thought the Memorial was a very solemn place…not one where a smile could fit in, leave alone a selfie or a yoga pose.

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  23. Berlin is an amazing city full of culture and history ! Yes many of these places for sure melt your heart when you learn the history behind them. My kids and I have taken many of these tours and learned so much of the history behind it – just and amazing place!

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  24. It is so important to highlight some of the not so happy and great things to see in a country. This seems like a walk I would love to take that would really help me get a feel for the history and culture of the country. Great post

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  25. I loved my time in Berlin but I particularly love learning about the world war history and there’s plenty of it here. We actually camped in our motorhome right near a piece of the wall without even knowing about it at first. Amazing to see it in the morning when we woke up.

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  27. the post is just awesome. Seeing berlin through your words is like being there itself. Just loved the cathedrals, what an architecture.

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  28. I remember going to Berlin and seeing a lot of these. The memorial really stuck out in my head, and seeing where Hitler died was very interesting. The whole experience through Berlin with it’s rich history and chaotic past got my blood flowing, really appreciating how life is today.

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  30. Wow. I have never been to Berlin but I definitely want to go, and so important to see these sights. I can’t believe Hugo Boss supplied the uniforms?! That definitely changes how I feel about the Boss range now. Incredible history and so tragic. These memorials must be haunting to visit.

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  31. I have heard many stories about Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. It’s on our wish list. Great compilation. Such incredible but tragic stories.

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  32. There is so much to see in Berlin and what an intriguing history! Its incredible to believe the cathedral was rebuilt, considering how beautiful it is.

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  33. We’re heading to Berlin this Summer on our trip to Europe, actually Berlin is one of the places I’m looking forward to visiting most. A great compilation of the top sights, we will be sure to add these to our travel itinerary! Thanks for sharing and awesome pictures too!

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  41. This is a very interesting Berlin article and yes these are sad places to see from a horrible point in history. Having said that there a lot of people who visit Berlin looking for this kind of history. The plaque for Hitlers bunker is an interesting fact.

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  43. Hey! I’m visiting Berlin in September and really enjoyed this post. The architecture looks beautiful and your photos are amazing. I can’t wait to visit! 🙂

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