European Union Program
Berlin Germany
Germany At a glance 
Politics: Angela Merkel of the conservative Christian Democrats won a second term as chancellor in 2009  Economy: Europe's largest economy, Germany is a leading manufacturer and exporter. Vehicles, machines and chemicals are key sectors  International: Germany is a major player in Europe and a proponent of European intregration. It is the third biggest troop supplier in Afghanistan Achieving national unity later than other European nations, Germany quickly caught up economically and militarily, before defeats in World War I and II left the country shattered, facing the difficult legacy of Nazism, and divided between Europe's Cold War blocs. Germany rebounded to become the continent's economic giant, and a prime mover of European cooperation. With the end of the Cold War, the two parts of the country were once again united, although the economy of the former east continues to lag behind that of the former west. Germany's economic success since World War II is to a large extent built on its potent export industries, fiscal discipline and consensus-driven industrial relations and welfare policies. It is particularly famed for its high-quality and high-tech goods. Germany's export-dependent economy was initially hit hard by the global financial crisis of 2008-9, which triggered the worst recession since 1949. But by 2010, its exports had helped the country to rebound more robustly than most other EU members. However, an ageing population has led to concern over the continued viability of Germany's high welfare and health spending. There is also a debate about how to improve integration of the many post-war immigrants whose labour helped fuel the economic boom. In addition, the former Soviet-dominated east has struggled to catch up with the west since reunification, while people in the west have had to pay a higher than expected financial price for unity. The pain of Germany's Nazi legacy remains a sensitive issue. Out of the devastation of the Second World War grew an awareness of the need to guard against any such catastrophe recurring in Europe. In the 1950s Germany was one of the six founding nations of the European Economic Community from which the European Union eventually developed and in which Germany is a key player. Franco-German cooperation was central to European economic integration in the 1980s and 1990s. After decades of lagging behind its economic strength, Germany's international profile has been growing. The country sent peacekeepers to the Balkans and its forces have been involved in operations in Afghanistan. The country has famous beer brewing traditions. Beer purity laws dating back to 1516 limit the fermentation ingredients to malted grain, hops, yeast and water. As the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms, among others, Germany's gift to European music is colossal, while Goethe, Heine, Kant and Thomas Mann are giants in the world of letters and philosophy.
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The Ultimate Berlin Bucket-List:
Find the Banksy graffiti pieces hidden around the Mitte region (there is an iPhone app to help you out!) Drink a Club Mate on the Oberbaumbrücke (Warschauer Straße, U5)
Visit the expansive Türkischer Markt (open Tue & Fri, 11am-6:30pm, Schönleinstraße, U8)
Get a unique vintage piece at Made in Berlin (Hackescher Markt, S1) Roam around the former „candy bombers“ airport, Tempelhofer Park Where to eat: Curry 36 Berliners dispute where to buy the best currywurst, a typical Berlin delicacy, in the grand city. Many will agree that this is the place to go! Mehringdamm 36, Mehringdamm, U6 Dada Falafel Try a favorite— go here for amazing Turkish döner, falafel, and halloumi. Feeling ambitious? Try the Dada Platter for a little of everything. Linienstraße 132, Orienenburgerstrasse, U6
Berlin is, frankly, one of the best cities in the world. A capital truly revolutionized by its history during World War II and the ensuing Cold War, you can see the scars everywhere. For example, in Mitte, you will find Stolpersteine, or gold plates in the ground that have the names and death dates of Jewish citizens during the Holocaust. Also, you will find a line running on the ground around the city showing the delineating line between the old East and West Berlin. For a city that has so much history to offer, it is only matched by the extraordinary amount of culture here. The city is covered in expressionist and alternative aerosal art. The different neighborhoods in the city each have a unique flavor and culture, too. A personal favorite now is Neukölln. Previously known as the predominantly Turkish neighborhood in Berlin, it has now become the hipster hideout with various bars, cafes, and restaurants that all have a young and international feel. Take your time to explore the underground to this city. At first glance, all you will see is museums. Not only try German food here (you will be able to experience this better in Freiburg, anyways). Take the time to try the many international specialities offered around the city. Want to go shopping? This city has it all. But it is best known for its variety and prominence vintage clothing culture. If you are looking for something unique, you have come to the ideal city. Enjoy Berlin while you are here— it will be a historical and cultural paradise that you will never forget!
Tabibito Sushi made by a father and son duo. Only enough seating for 24, so hurry there during dinner hours! Karl-Marx Straße 56, Rathaus Neukölln, U7 Yumcha Heroes Another personal favorite. The best Chinese dumplings in the city. Weinbergsweg 8, Rosenthaler Platz, U8
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Sights and Historical Places Brandenburg Gate Pariser Platz 1 The Brandenburg Gate, or the Brandenburger Tor, is the only remaining city gate (of the original 18) of Berlin. During the Cold War, the gate was situated in “no-man’s land” behind the Berlin Wall, and was seen as a symbol of division. After the fall of the Wall, the gate was re-opened on December 22, 1989, and has since been seen as a symbol of reunification. The Brandenburg Gate is one of the few structures that remained standing on Pariser Platz after World War II, and has since been used as a backdrop for important speeches, such as Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” speech. Reichstag Platz der Republik 1 The Reichstag is the home of the German Bundestag, or the federal parliament. One of its unique features is the glass dome that is open to the public, placed directly above the plenary of the Bundestag. This dome was constructed as part of the 1999 reconstruction of the building. The Reichstag was originally constructed from 1884-1894, and has had a very tumultuous history. It has undergone several changes and renovations as well as a fire in 1933 that Hitler used as anti-communist propaganda. After World War II, the building was renovated but was not used for parliamentary proceedings until after reunification. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Cora-Berliner-Straße 1 Also known as the Holocaust Memorial, this was constructed to commemorate those that died in the Holocaust, as well as to serve as a warning for future generations. The memorial was built in 2003 and 2004. Its specific design was created by Peter Eisenmann, and was chosen from 11 artist proposals. It is made up of 2,711 concrete blocks of different height and orientation in a grid-like pattern over a gently sloping area, covering a total of 19,000m². There is also a free underground Information Center for background information about the victims as well as the memorial itself. Berlin Wall (East Side Gallery) Mühlenstraße Part of the Berlin Wall is still intact, preserved for artistic reasons. Berliner Fernsehturm Alexanderplatz The Fernsehturm is a television tower on Alexanderplatz. The tower was constructed from 1965-1969 by the German Democratic Republic, and is still considered to be a symbol of Berlin today. The tower is the fourth tallest building in Europe, standing at 368m, and there is an observation deck 208m above the ground. Entrance to the observation tower costs €12.50, for which you get truly amazing views of all of Berlin.
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Potsdamer Platz Potsdamer Platz is one of the most popular tourist places in New Berlin. With its mix of restaurants, shopping opportunities, theatre and cinemas, both Berliners and tourists are drawn in to pass the time. The original square was named after the city of Potsdam. After World War II, the square was destroyed, and became an intersection for the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. Between 1993 and 1998, a completely new economic quarter arose on the land, and it is technically owned by companies as opposed to the German state. Checkpoint Charlie Friedrichstraße 43-45 Checkpoint Charlie is the nickname given to one of the former border crossings between East and West Berlin. During the Cold War, this was the only crossing for Allied Forces. Today, the checkpoint is a large tourist spot complete with a border sign and soldier post. Right near the checkpoint is a museum called Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, depicting the history of the Wall.
Many museums in Berlin are located in close proximity to one another on what is called “Museum Island”.
Museums
German Historical Museum Unter den Linden 2 Covering 8,000m² of exhibition space, the exhibitions from the German Historical Museum convey a vivid picture of the German past. The museum was founded in 1987 by then Chancellor of Germany, Helmut Kohl, in celebration of the 750th anniversary of the founding of Berlin. Opening hours:10am-6pm Admission: 4€ (student discount) Pergamon Museum Am Kupfergraben, Museumsinsel (Museum Island) This museum houses many different artifacts that have been excavated by German archeologists. It is the home to several original and reconstructed monumental buildings, as well as housing extensive collections of antiquities, and Middle Eastern and Islamic art. Opening hours: 10am-6pm Admission: 7€ (student discount) Jewish Museum Lindenstraße 9-14 The Jewish Museum is the most significant example of contemporary architecture in Berlin. The plans drawn up by the architect Daniel Libeskind are realized alongside the yellow, baroque building of the Berlin Museum, which also serves as the entrance to the Jewish Museum. The form and style of the building embody a complex concept full of ciphers, codes, and philosophical themes. The silvery, steel-clad building, with its sheer, seemingly windowless exterior, is reminiscent of a broken Star of David. Opening hours: Mon, 10am-10pm; Tue-Sun, 10am-8pm Admission: 2,50€ Topography of Terror Niederkirchnerstraße 8, formerly Prinz-Albrecht-Straße The Topography of Terror is located on former building sites of the Nazi regime, namely Gestapo and SS headquarters. The area had been destroyed during World War II, and during the Cold War was seen as a formal boundary with the Berlin Wall. The cellars of these buildings became a memorial in 2007 describing the atrocities carried out by the Gestapo and the SS. Opening hours: 10am-8pm Neue Nationalgalerie Potsdamer Straße 50 The New National Gallery, the famous "temple of light and glass" designed by Mies van der Rohe, houses the collection of 20th century European painting and sculpture. Ranging from early modern art to art of the 1960s, the collection includes works by Munch, Kirchner, Picasso, Klee, Feininger, Dix, Kokoschka, and many others. Opening hours: Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat & Sun, 11am-6pm Admission: 5€ (student discount)
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C/O Berlin Oranienburger Str 35/36 Personal Favorite: C/O Berlin is a photography laboratory. Here, the boundaries of the individual creative disciplines are explored, experimented with, and expanded. The creative, artistic life is opened up to visitors, above all through exhibitions of renowned photographers’ work as conceptualized and coordinated by C/O Berlin – international, diverse, contemporary. Opening hours: Daily, 11am-8pm Admission: 5€ (student discount)
Religious Sights Berlin Cathedral Am Lustgarten 1 Also known as the Berliner Dom, this cathedral was the former court cathedral of Prussia’s royal family, the Hohenzollern. The cathedral was built from 1747-1750 to rival St.Peter’s Basilica in Rome. From 1894-1905, the building was redone by Julius Carl Raschdorff, and was built as the royal and memorial church of the Hohenzollern. Extensive damage was done to the church during World War II, but it was reconstructed from 1975-1993. . Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm, Sundays and holidays 12-8 (no viewing during church services or events). Admission: 4€ The New Synagogue Oranienburger Straße 30 Also known as the Neue Synagoge, this was the main synagogue of the Berlin community after being built from 1859-1866. During World War II, the synagogue was almost completely destroyed in a fire and had to be rebuilt. Today, the synagogue is partially rebuilt and has been converted into a museum.
Food In no other German city can you eat as well as in Berlin. Nowhere else is the restaurant scene so encouraged. Everything from pheasant breast garnished with truffles to the must-have-at-least-once Currywurst is offered. Berliners are also offered a whole host of entertainment including bars, pubs, cafes, wine bars, lounges, clubs and, for latenight munchies, an Imbiss — a kiosk selling drinks and light snacks. The range of restaurants includes Indian, Greek, Japanese, Thai, modern European, Turkish, and of course, traditional German. Recently there have been more nouvelle cuisine restaurants opening up, exploring, for example, South African cooking. It is also rather cheap to eat in Berlin, so take advantage of this! In former West Berlin the most popular restaurants are clustered around Savignyplatz. The largest concentration of restaurants is in Mitte, or in former East Berlin, around Oranienburger Straße. The recently popular eating and drinking spots with young people are Prenzlauerberg, near Helmholzplatz, and Friedrichshain along Simon-Dach-Straße. Kreuzberg is also very popular especially around Oranienstraße where the restaurants are very busy.
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Berlin is noted for its delicious and filling breakfasts. Most cafes serve a plate of cold meats and cheeses. Smoked salmon with horseradish is a favorite and highly recommended. Croissants are also popular as well as muesli and yogurt. On the weekends, brunch has become quite an institution. Priced at 6€ upwards, it normally includes bread, cheeses, hams, eggs, preserves, cereal and cold potato or pasta salad. Sometimes there will be sausages and bacon or grilled Mediterranean vegetables. Croissants and fruit are also normally served. Lunch is a simple affair. Most restaurants have a fixed menu which is usually economical and doesn‘t scrimp on the tastiness of the evening meal. Dinner is more of a substantial occasion. Fixed price menues are offered as well as a la carte. On the whole, a main course of meat such as schnitzel or pig‘s knuckle or marinated beef (“Sauerbraten”) is typical. Seasonal vegetables are usually offered.
Transport Public Transport Berlin has an extensive network system of underground lines (U-Bahn), urban railway lines (SBahn), busses, and tramways (trams), allowing you to reach every location and sight in town in a safe and convenient way. A system of night busses and trains keep you mobile into the wee hours of the night. Berlin has three fare zones: Zone A is delineated by the S-Bahn ring and encompasses the city center, Zone B ends at the city limits, and Zone C includes Berlin‘s immediate surroundings (e.g. Postdam and Oranienburg). Tickets can be purchased with zone combinations AB, BC, or ABC. Standard fares apply to adults, reduced fares to children aged 6-13. Tickets can be purchased at any of the many BVG and S-Bahn Berlin ticket counters and at ticket machines located in the stations. The machines are equipped with convenient on-screen menu navigation and are available 24 hours a day in 6 languages (German, English, French, Spanish, Turkish, and Polish).
Central Berlin is quite expansive and difficult to scout out on foot. It is worth covering certain itineraries with public transport. A trip on Bus 100 or 200 is tantamount to a city tour, taking passengers past the many sights between Zoologischer Garten and Alexanderplatz. From the elevated S-Bahn (urban railway) you can catch a glimpse of the city‘s tourist magnets. The route from Zoologischer Garten to Alexanderplatz passes Tiergarten and the Victory Column, the Reichstag and the government quarter, and cruises between the structures gracing Museum Island. The Ringbahn (S-Bahn Circle) line loops around the city center in an hour, offering passengers a number of outstanding impressions. Taxis Besides the well-developed net of bus and train lines there are also nearly 7,000 taxis to transport the Berliners and their guests. You can order a taxi easily by calling one of these numbers:
Taxi-Ruf Würfelfunk “0800-Cabcall” AG Quality Taxi Funk Taxi Berlin TaxiFunk Berlin GmbH
+49-(0)800 - 222 22 55 +49-(0)800 26 30000 +49-(0)30 – 26 10 26 +49-(0)30 – 44 33 22
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The Berlin Wall & Its Remains
Checkpoint Charlie
East Side Gallery
Berlin Wall Path