The capital of Germany is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. In Berlin you find exciting sights, superb gourmet food, a great nightlife and the newest in modern art. Under the World War II, many of the buildings where heavily damaged, but after the reunification they were all rebuild.
After World War II, Berlin was divided into four sectors: a French, American and British sector in West Berlin and USSR sector in East Berlin). After the fall of the Berlin Wall in'89, the city merged together and again became the capital of the reunified Germany.
The Brandenburger Tor is the landmark of Berlin. The 26 meter (85 feet) high building was originally the main gate to Berlin. Under World War II it was standing in a waste part of the Eastern part of Berlin. In'90 it reopened as a symbol of the German reunification.
The Reichstag Building (German Parliament Building) is another important historical building in Berlin. In'33 Hitler used a fire in the dome to declare state of emergency, and in'45 the Red Army planted a flag on the roof to declare their victory. After a major renovation in'99 the building reopened with a new, impressive glass dome. If you would like to visit the building, you must be prepared for a long line and a heavy security check.
Berlin has its share of remains of the Cold War. A typical example is Check Point Charlie. Originally it was the border post on the Eastern and Western border. Today the museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie stands as the monument of a tough time. Here you can see photos and other effects from the separated Berlin.
For shopaholics Berlin is a great city. In KaDeWe, the largest department store in Europe, you find everything for yourself and your home. The most impressive part is the food and beverage part on the sixth floor. Here you find 800 types of bread, 1000 different sausages, 1700 different cheeses and even wild boar and deer. And the best part is that you can taste samples of almost everything.
Berlin does also have a lot of markets. The weekend markets are the best ones. That includes Kunst- und Nostalgiemarkt at the Museumsinsel, and Grosser Berliner Trdel- und Kunstmarkt at Strasse de 17. Juni in Tiergarten and Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz. If you are in Berlin around Christmas, you should also visit a Weinachtsmrkte, where you can taste waffles, sausages and the famous Glhwein.
Berlin does also have a great art scene. There are a lot of galleries and modern art museums spread around the city. The best ones are the Museumsinsel, the Neue Nationalgalerie and the famous art gallery Galerie Eigen & Art.
