Berlin brings to one’s min the great divide (or wall) that
divided the city into two different political entities. However, the new
rejuvenated and reunited Berlin
is marching ahead into the future post millennium. It is casting itself as the
most important new and modernistic city of Continental Europe.
Berlin’s dark past as Hitler’s capital of Nazi atrocities and
as the capital of Cold War in the later years, has not escaped the psyche of
the local population or the visitors. The popular opinion says that Berliners
do not know where they are going, but know their past, and do not want to go
back there. After being completely annihilated in the WW II bombings, Berlin has since
optimistically rebuilt itself as a modern structure of glass and steel.
The scars still remain, mostly
as a tourist attraction. For example the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church
displays the shell of the bell tower that remains, in striking contrast to the
modern church constructed to the west, fondly nicknamed “lipstick and powderbox”
because of the design.
The contrast between East and
West Berlin before the wall fell is still evident since East Berlin proud of
its cultural heritage rebuilt its museums and churches whereas West Berlin built new museums and theatres. East and West
are still coming together to form a whole Berlin and the process will take its time.
Berlin being the new German capital is living up to its
reputation as the dynamic hub of continental Europe,
with nightlife being the most exiting and wild. The city after accommodating
the German Government as the seat of the new capital has undergone a major
facelift with new streets, sky scrapers and rail lines at a whopping cost of
more than $100 billion. Most of this has gone into the central district (Mitte)
which houses glittering luxury hotels and shopping arcades. The effort in
restoration of Unter den Linden to its pre war glory and Hotel Adlon, the most
famous hotel in pre war Germany
and Europe has been notable. The chic district
of boutiques and cafes, the Prenzlauer Berg, had not faced the damage of WW II
bombings and resoration of this part has been relatively easier. This flurry of
restoration and activity has caused a spiraling effect in the real estate
market with sharp increase in prices as well inconveniences of living around
construction sites for Berliners. Most famous buildings of Berlin have been restored in this process.
Reichstag got a new glass dome topped with the Eagle (national symbol)
replacing the old imperial hunter. The Oranienburger Strasse synagogue
The Oranienburger Strasse
synagogue (also known as Neue Synagoge Berlin-Centrum Judaicum/The New
Synagogue), bombed beyond salvage by Allied bombers, has been restored to its
old splendor. Likewise, Berlin Cathedral and the five state museums on Museum Island
have been restored to their original glory. The natural beauty of Berlin has been enhanced
with the few gardens and farms covering about 1/3rd of the total area,
which further beautifies the city.
The Berlin
Tourist Information
Center, Europa
Center handles all information
regarding Berlin
in general and Hotel bookings. The best and easier way to access the
information is from the site www.berlin-tourism.de.
