Berlin is situated in the heart of Germany. The capital annually attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. The city offers to its guests but also to its inhabitants a colossal variety of historical and modern buildings, a great number of theatres, museums, vaudevilles, restaurants and typically Berlin pubs as well as an exceptional night life.

The television tower at the “Alexanderplatz” marks quasi the capital’s centre and has a height of 365 meters. The Berliners lovingly call it “Telespargel” (“television asparagus”).
Visitors from all over the world enjoy the view over the city from a height of about 250 meters as well as the restaurant both situated in a silver-coloured globe that turns around its axe within one hour. Especially beautiful is the view on the Neptune’s fountain with its amazing statues, the Red Town Hall and the St. Mary’s Church built between the 13th and 14th centuries in gothic style.

The most famous street in Berlin is probably the avenue “Under the linden trees” bordered on both sides by numerous history-charged architectural monuments.

Nearby, on an island of the Spree River in the town centre, you can find an ensemble of five museums including the Old and the New Museums (the latter still destroyed), the Old National Gallery, the “Bodemuseum” and, as the absolute jewel, the “Pergamonmuseum”. Three surprising and exceptional collections are housed in this building under one roof: the Antiquity Collection, the Museum of the Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Not far away from the museum’s island one may admire the Berlin Cathedral that is the biggest Protestant German church and the “Lustgarten” (pleasure garden) situated in front of it.
Another highlight is the “Bebelplatz” on whose eastern side the Opera House (the contemporary German State Opera “Under the linden trees”) was built. The Western side of the place is occupied by the so-called “commode” that accommodated the former Prussian Royal Library.
In front of this picturesque place one can find the entrance portal of the Berlin University founded by the brothers Alexander and William of Humboldt.

The construction of the „New Guardhouse“ in 1818 was the beginning for the career of Berlin’s most famous architect for the coming decades: Karl Friedrich Schinkel. From 1960 onwards his neo-classical monument was used as a memorial for the victims of fascism and militarism, and since 1993 the building has become the central memorial site of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The avenue finally leads to the Brandenburg Gate which is over 200 years old and is the only preserved town gate. Until 1989 it symbolized the division of Berlin and Germany; today it is a national sign for the German reunification.

The world-renowned boulevard “Kurfürstendamm” (lovingly called “Kudamm” by the Berliners), the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, radio tower, International Congress centre, zoological garden and other places of interest are attractions for numerous visitors in the Western part of Berlin. The avenue gloats over its luxurious brand and fashion boutiques.

Berlin without the “Kaufhaus des Westens” (“Department store of the West”) would be unimaginable. The largest shopping centre on Europe’s continent is a lot more than a well-assorted shopping paradise; it has become a legend. First and foremost you will enjoy your stay in the fancy foods and alimentary department on the 6th floor where the “high society“ wines and dines with champagne and oysters.

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church reminds of the barbarous bombardments of the city during World War II and became a symbol for the resurged from ruins Western Berlin.

There is another well-known aerial mast beside the television tower in Berlin: the radio-tower. The building is about 150 m high and can be called a pioneer in the radio history. It was from this tower that the first broadcasts were regularly put on the air. In the height of 125 metres one can find a viewing platform for visitors.

An architectural highlight is the International Congress Centre (ICC). Since its opening in 1979 the ICC is the most important venue for international congresses and meetings as well as for concerts and balls.

The Berliners have a great heart for any kind of animals. It is a big privilege for them to live in a city that has two zoos. One of them, the tradition-charged Zoological Garden, was the first and oldest zoos in Germany and is situated amidst the Western City. With about 1400 species (aquarium included) and about 14.000 animals cavorting in an area of 34 hectares it is the species-richest zoo in the world. Located next to the railway and subway station of the same name the zoo invites for a visit again and again.

The aquarium beside the zoo harks back to Alfred Brehm who founded Berlin’s first aquarium “Unter den Linden” in the 19th century. Fishes, crocodiles, turtles and insects of many colours and forms are looking forward to the guests.
The visitor sojourns in the middle of the pulsating city heart and at the same time he feels himself in a place of silence and detention.

Needless to say that a visitor to Berlin should not miss the opportunity to have a look at the remains of the former Berlin wall – symbol of a split city and a divided nation.

This includes the longest monument for peace and reconciliation in Berlin, the East Side Gallery. After the division of Berlin had come to an end, countless artists from all over the world painted the 1.3 kilometre long wall in 1990. The colourful collection of political and poetic murals is a unique attraction.