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Berlin, Germany, October 2011

A trendy city steeped in history

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Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Berliner Dom

Berlin Cathedral, in German Berliner Dom, completed in 1905, is Berlin’s largest Lutheran church. It houses the family crypt of the Hohenzollern dynasty, and its dome overlooks the entire Mitte district. Its architecture is inspired by the Italian High Renaissance style. It is divided into three “bodies”, each topped by a dome.
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Le Berliner Dom sous un ciel menaçantLe Berliner Dom, cathédrale luthérienneL'intérieur de la coupole Berliner DomL'orgue grandiose de la cathédrale de BerlinTombeau Hohenzollern en marbre blancVue sur l'île aux musées depuis les toitsBerliner Dom cathédrale de Berlin

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Reichstag Palace

Since 1999, the Reichstag, the former Imperial Diet, has been home to the Federal Diet, the parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. Inaugurated in 1894, burnt down in 1933, bombed in 1945, restored in 1972 and modernized in 1999, the Reichstag has weathered all the ups and downs of the 20th century.
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La façade du Reichstag, le Parlement allemandLe palais du Reichstag fut incendié en 1933La devise "Au peuple allemand"

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace was one of the first summer residences built by the Great Electors of Brandenburg. Queen Sophie-Charlotte, wife of the first King of Prussia, commissioned Nering to design the first castle. An Allied bombing raid in 1943 completely devastated the sumptuous Baroque residence, which was painstakingly rebuilt in the aftermath of the Second World War.
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Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Brandenburg Gate

Whereas Berlin’s only surviving city gate once represented the division of the city into East and West, since the fall of the Wall, the Brandenburg Gate has been the symbol of German unity. In 1793, it was crowned by the quadriga designed by Johann Gottfried Schadow.
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Brandeburg Tor ou Porte de BrandebourgQuadrige sur la porte de BrandebourgUn soldat américain et un soldat allemand

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

The Pergamonmuseum

The new, larger Pergamon Museum was built on the ruins of the old museum and designed in three wings. Today, it houses three museums: the Antikensammlung Collection (Collection of Classical Antiquities) with its exhibits of Hellenic and Roman architecture, the Vorderasiatisches Museum für Kleinasien (Near East Museum of Asia Minor) and the Museum für Islamische Kunst (Museum of Islamic Art).
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Musée de Pergame à BerlinLa porte d'Ishtar à BabylonePoteries diversesDes statuettes de style très variéCorne et coffret en ivoire sculptéPorte de l'Agora de MiletFrise racontant la légende de Télèphe

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Checkpoint Charlie

From September 22, 1961, before entering East Berlin, members of the American, British and French Allied forces had to register at this famous crossing point between the two Germanies. Foreign tourists could obtain information about their stay. Today, an installation by artist Frank Thiel and a sign recall the former border crossing.
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Vous sortez du secteur américainU.S. Army Checkpoint CharlieUn soldat figurant avec un drapeau américain

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Berlin Zoo

Founded in 1844 by King Frederick William IV, the Berlin Zoological Garden is Germany’s oldest zoo. With 15,000 animals and 1,400 species, it is one of the world’s most renowned zoos for its diversity. It attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Its stars include giant pandas and Knut the polar bear.
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Un bouquetin sur son rocherUne otarie et son petit sur un rocherLe grand panda dans sa démarche majestueuseUne autre antilopeLion endormiUn magnifique ours blancUn singe de la famille des babouins

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Alexanderplatz

Emblematic of the austere Communist architecture of the 60s, this square – nicknamed “Alex” by the Germans – is a must-see meeting place in Berlin. Berlin’s Fernsehturm, in the center of Alexanderplatz, is Berlin’s equivalent of the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building! From the top of this 368-metre tower, you can enjoy a complete panoramic view of Berlin, including the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz.
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Attraction sur Alexanderplatz, de nuitCœurs sucrés "Ich Liebe Dich"Un kiosque sur AlexanderplatzLa tour de la télévision de Berlin

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

The Gendarmenmarkt

A hint of Italy wafts over the domes of the French church and the German cathedral, which face each other on the Gendarmenmarkt square. Schinkel’s magnificent neoclassical theater stands in the center of the esplanade. The effects of symmetry, the uncanny similarity of the churches and the grace of the architecture make this one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin, if not the most remarkable.
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Französischer Dom, cathédrale françaiseLa cathédrale allemande au GendarmenmarktUn musicien sur un lion au GendarmenmarktStatue de Schiller devant le KonzerthausFronton de la cathédrale allemande

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

Saint Mary’s Church

Located not far from the Berliner Dom, St. Mary’s Evangelical Church was conceived in connection with Berlin’s first medieval expansion, after 1250, as a communal church for the new city. The three-aisled Gothic church was remodeled in the Baroque period, with Andreas Schülter’s pulpit being integrated to give it the character of a preaching hall.
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St. Marienkirche à BerlinLa fontaine de Neptune et l'église Sainte-MarieHorloge d'or sur le clocher en bronzeLe dieu Neptune au sommet de la fontaine en bronzeClocher de l'église Sainte-Marie

Berlin, Germany, October 2011

The Neues Museum

The New Museum, built in neo-classical style on Museum Island, opened in 1859 to replace the Old Museum, which had fallen victim to its own success. Since 2009, the Egyptian collection and part of the Protohistory and Antiquities collection have been on display.

The impressive holdings include works of art from various periods of ancient Egypt’s royal art collections, culminating in the bust of Queen Nefertiti. The world’s only collection of statues, reliefs, minor art objects, monumental works of Egyptian architecture and the imposing papyrus collection bear witness to the period from 3000 BC to the Roman Empire.
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Travel story from Berlin

Berlin, the German capital, is an astonishing city. Strongly marked by the history of the Second World War and the Wall that cut it in two until 1990, it has opened up to the world to become a central point in Europe.

From Alexanderplatz onwards, the bustle is continuous and this square symbolizes the city’s architectural and commercial renewal. But it’s also a convivial place where people come to share a pint after dark. There’s singing, laughter and storytelling, in short, a real Berlin joie de vivre.

Berlin is also surprisingly sprawling, and using the U (underground) and S (above-ground) lines, you’ll get the full picture. A church or historic building awaits you around every corner. The famous Rotes Rathaus is a real eye-catcher, with its surprising color and architecture. A stone’s throw away, don’t forget to visit the imposing Berliner Dom, Berlin’s cathedral, where the tour takes you right up to the rooftops, offering an almost 360° view of the city.

Berlin also boasts 166 museums, making it a highly cultural city. Gems such as the Ishtar Gate in the Pergamon Museum or the Nefertiti Bust in the Neues Museum will amaze even the most jaded of visitors. There’s something for everyone in Berlin, and it usually takes just a few days to discover all its treasures. For Berlin is like that, a city that has long lived in secrecy, and intends to reveal them only to the most curious and passionate. It’s up to you to discover them!

Julien

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