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Monuments in Germany

AEG Turbinenhalle

AEG Turbinenhalle, by salepi

AEG Turbinenhalle
Town: Berlin Address: Huttenstrasse 12

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The AEG Turbine Hall is a turbine factory of the German electronic company AEG constructed in 1909. At the time, it was considered one of the most revolutionary projects of the early 20th Century. The enormous steel-and-glass construction is the work of the architect Peter Behrens, who went down in history as the father of the modern industrial design. He authored many other influential projects, but the Turbine Hall is believed to be the most important. Other prominent turn-of-the-century artists, such as Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, also contributed to the appearance of the building. With enormous glass windows disclosing the interior and exposed steel supporting construction, the Turbine Hall openly celebrates its industrial purpose.

Alte Bibliothek

Alte Bibliothek, by Francesco

Alte Bibliothek
Town: Berlin Address: Bebelplatz (Unter den Linden)

The magnificent building of Alte Bibliothek is a former royal library. The elegant Baroque structure is affectionately referred to among the locals as the Commode, owing to the building’s curious shape, resembling an antique chest of drawers. Much more flattering is the comparison to the most impressive examples of Viennese architecture. The design of Alte Bibliothek was inspired by the plans of the Hofburg Palace in the Austrian capital. Paradoxically, as works on the royal library progressed much faster than works on the palace, the copy was completed faster than the original. Alte Bibliothek is a fine combination of Prussian grandiosity and accurateness with the unique Viennese flair. Severely damaged in World War II, Alte Bibliothek was carefully rebuilt and reopened in 1969. it now serves as a lecture hall of the Humboldt University.

Anhalter Bahnhof

Anhalter Bahnhof, by Cecilia Merli

Anhalter Bahnhof
Town: Berlin Address: Stresemannstrasse / Anhalterstrasse

Anhalter Bahnhof was once the largest and most beautiful railway station in Berlin, and among the largest in Europe. Severely destroyed during the World War II bombings, it was never reconstructed, and the greater part of the ruins was blown up. Today, only the sad facade of the building stands to bear testimony to the station’s grand past. It’s also one of the most powerful reminders of the dramatic events of the World War II.

Archenhold-Sternwarte

Archenhold-Sternwarte, by Jörg Kantel

Archenhold-Sternwarte
Town: Berlin Address: Alt-Treptow 1 Phone: +49 30 421 84 50
Website: http://www.astw.de
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Archenhold-Sternwarte is an astronomical observatory of immense importance in the history of science. It was established in the last years of the 19th Century, in the heyday of astronomy. Among its top attractions is the world’s largest telescope, a 21-metre giant constructed by Friedrich Simon Archenhold, after whom the institution received its name. In 1915, Archenhold-Sternwarte saw the first public lecture of Albert Einstein on the theory of relativity. Today, the observatory holds two fascinating exhibitions on the history of astronomy and the instruments used for astronomical exploration.

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Bell Tower of the Olympic Stadium
Town: Berlin Address: Glockenturmstrasse

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Although it’s only 77 metres high, the Glockenturm des Olympiastadions – the Bell Tower of the Olympic Stadium – actually seems to be much taller. This is so thanks to a number of architectural tricks applied by the Nazi architects who certainly knew how to make their constructions imposing. The tower stands on a hilltop, and from the terrace on the top, visitors can admire an enchanting panorama of the surroundings, stretching as far as Potsdam to the west and the Müggel Mountains to the east. The terrace also offers the best perspective on the entire Olympic complex, featuring the spectacular Waldbühne amphitheatre and the impressive Maifeld Arena, inspired by designs of the ancient Greek Olympic venues.

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Berlin Wall
Town: Berlin Address: Mühlenstrasse / Niederkirchnerstrasse / Bernauerstrasse

The Berlin Wall was constructed on 13 August 1961 in order to prevent the outflow of East German workers. Its appearance divided Germany and the entire European continent and broke families and friendships for almost three decades. During that time, more than 200 people died during escape attempts. This hated symbol of tyranny finally came down on the night of 9 November 1989. As the regime of East Germany came crumbling down, Berliners from both parts of the no longer divided city gathered on top of the wall to celebrate the event. Within months, the greater part of the wall was levelled to the ground; the land that it occupied was auctioned off.
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Berliner Gruselkabinett
Town: Berlin Address: Schönebergerstrasse 23A Phone: +49 30 265 555 46
Website: http://www.gruselkabinett-berlin.de/
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Berliner Gruselkabinett is situated in a very fitting location, in the dark tunnels of a World War II bunker beside the Anhalter Bahnhof, a scary enough place on its own. No place for the weak-hearted, the Gruselkabinett welcomes its visitors with gruesome moans echoing down the tunnels. As visitors venture into the maze of corridors, they are followed around by a hoard of vampires. The first floor holds a shocking exhibition on the popular practices of medicine in the Medieval times. On the second floor, there’s a thrilling display of realistic models of various monsters. In the basement, visitors will find a well-documented exhibition devoted to the history of the place, recreating the experience of thousands of war-weary civilians who lived in the bunker during World War II.

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Berliner Stadtmauer
Town: Berlin Address: Waisenstrasse

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The German capital is famous around the world as the former location of one particular wall – the Berlin Wall constructed by the East German authorities in 1961 and brought down by people less than three decades earlier. However, Berlin boasts yet another, much more ancient wall, an authentic part of its 14th-century fortifications. The surviving fragments of this Medieval construction run along Waisenstrasse in Mitte. The most picturesque part of the wall is situated beside the Parochialkirche, where a few town residences constructed in the same epoch back onto the wall. One of the houses holds the city’s oldest restaurant, Zur letzten Instanz, serving the region’s traditional specialties. The ancient city wall of Berlin may not be as impressive as those of other European ca