Berlin Guide, Summer 2011

Contents Page HISTORY OF BERLIN 6 - 11 SURVIVAL GUIDE 12 - 13 TRANSPORT 14 - 17 ACCOMMODATION 18 - 23 SIGHTSEEING 24 35 ART & CULTURE 36 - 53 ACTIVITIES 54 - 65 SHOPPING 66 - 79 FOOD & DRINK 80 - 101 BARS & CLUBS 102 - 127 3 Introduction Willkommen in Berlin! With a wealth of opportunity to see the fantastic sights in the day and party late into the night, no-one could get bored with this vibrant and ever- evolving city. Within these pages you can learn more about the history of Berlin, from its roots and turbulent times to the present day, while finding out what sites to see beyond the Wall . Let us guide you around the city’s efficient public transport system and making your life easier finding somewhere to stay while you’re here. Whether you’re here for the nightlife or are looking to soak up some German culture there is something for everyone in The Snapshot Guide to Berlin. Find out which lakes are best to lounge by and how best to pass the day in weird and wonderful ways in our activities section. Let our culinary expertise guide you to some of the excellent cafés, eateries and bars the metropolitan city holds. If you love fashion for less, look no further than our shopping section, which contains a treasure trove of vintage and independent boutiques, kitsch shops along with some of the best flea markets in town to pick up a bargain. If you are looking to do Berlin on a budget, or even want to splash out on something worthwhile, this guide has everything you need to experience this beautiful city to the fullest. 5 History of Berlin Early Days Berlin began its life as two trading settlements on the banks of the River Spree – Berlin and Cölln. The two towns joined forces in 1307 to gain better trading rights and later to enter the Hanseatic League, which led them to begin functioning more as a single entity known as Berlin-Cölln. Berlin-Cölln began to gain power but lose freedoms. Until 1618, Berlin-Cölln grew in population to 12,000 people. However between 1618 and 1648, the Thirty Years War led to the death of half the citizenry and the destruction of a third of the town’s buildings. Berlin Reborn After the destruction of the city’s population, Elector Friedrich Wilhelm (ruled 1640-1688) - encouraged immigration. He first invited 50 Austrian Jewish families displaced by the Thirty Years War and then more than 6,000 French Huguenots to settle in Berlin-Cölln. The immigrants brought greater trade links and prosperity to the city. In 1701, Elector Friedrich III (1688-1713) crowned himself the first King of Prussia, making Berlin the capital city. In 1709 Berlin and Cölln were united by the King along with a number of their suburbs. His son, Friedrich Wilhelm I (1713-1740), made Prussia into a great military power by trading artistic pieces and money for soldiers from other courts. It wasn’t until the reign of his son however, that these soldiers were employed in battle. 7 Berlin partook wholeheartedly Nazi Germany in the Industrial Revolution, with companies such as Borsig, Siemens It was against this unstable and Schwartzkopff setting up in the background that the National city. Socialist party rose to power. In the federal elections of 1930 - the very However as with most major cities beginning of the Great Depression during the Industrial Revolution, - they emerged from near obscurity the industrialisation and mass to be the second largest party in immigration of people into Berlin the Reichstag. from the surrounding countryside led to mass poverty and squalor for By 1932, they were the largest its people. Despite this as the city’s party. When the Reichstag was infrastructure improved, so did the burnt down in February 1933, the Friedrich II, also known as Under his rule a large conditions, and by the start of WWI Nazis seized their opportunity to Friedrich the Great (1740- number of buildings designed Berlin was flourishing. blame the communists and use 1786), is famous both for his to reflect the values of the atmosphere of fear to outlaw victory in the Seven Years War the Enlightenment were The 20th Century all other political parties. In March against Russia and for bringing constructed, including the one of the first concentration the Enlightenment to Berlin. Staatsoper Opera House, the The extreme hardships of the First camps in Germany was opened at Prince Heinrich Palace - later to World War led to the overthrowing Sachsenhausen to contain political become Humboldt University of Kaiser Wilhelm II on 9th prisoners. Over the course of its and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. November 1918, two days before existence, tens of thousands of Meanwhile, Unter den Linden the armistice. The years of the political prisoners and Russian was broadened from a bridle Weimar Republic (1918-1933) were prisoners of war died there. path to become a boulevard tough for Berlin and for Germany, complete with linden trees. with several uprisings from various political factions – most notably for After Friedrich the Berlin, the Spartacist (communist) Great uprising. This ended with two Spartacist leaders being murdered The final years of the by the Freikorps in the Tiergarten, 18th century were fairly where a small memorial stands today. In addition to mass chaos on Food & Drink of Food History Berlin uneventful for Berlin- the Brandenburg Gate was built the streets of Berlin, hyperinflation and the Quadriga placed caused by the governments’ atop it. However Napoleon overzealous money printing invaded the city through the became a severe issue in the early Brandenburg Gate on 27th 1920s, when money became worth October 1806, leaving troops less than the paper it was printed in Berlin right up until 1808. on. For the rest of the 19th century 8 109 Between 1933 and 1945, Templehof Airport Germany was a totalitarian kept West Berlin state. Oppression of non- going for almost Germans, the disabled, a year until the homosexuals, gypsies and blockade was lifted. political dissidents led to the Tensions increased murder of millions of people, again when 200,000 as Berlin’s vast number of East Germans memorials to those murdered escaped the GDR’s by the Nazis evidences. forced collectivisation programme by The Second World War walking into West eventually put an end to the Berlin in 1960. In Nazi regime after six long years response to this of fighting. The effect of the massive loss of war on Berlin was devastating workers, on August - bombardment of the city by 13th, 1961, the East air began in 1943 and by the German government end of the war nearly half of began to build the central Berlin’s buildings were Berlin Wall. This destroyed. massive structure encircled West Berlin, Berlin Divided cutting it off from East Germany on all sides, Berlin was officially divided and stood until 1989. into Soviet, US and British 5,000 East Berliners sections in July 1945 - a French still managed to section was later added. East- escape over or under West relations deteriorated the Wall, despite rapidly after the war, and great risk to their Berlin became a constant lives: 192 people saying that he would not support or firing on the crowd the confused source of tension. This tension were killed trying to cross, and hard-line actions against East guards allowed them through. really took shape in the Berlin around 200 were seriously Germans. In a confusing series of Much of the Wall was demolished Blockade of 1948-49, when injured. events, on 9th November 1989, soon afterwards. Food & Drink of Food History Berlin the GDR refused to allow any Günther Schabowski, a member traffic from West Germany In 1989, the East Germans of the East German government, Since the fall of the Wall, Berlin to West Berlin, in an attempt could once more escape announced in a press statement has been re-elevated to its status to starve West Berlin into communist oppression, this that, in his opinion, the border as capital city, with the Bundestag submission. time through the newly between East and West Berlin completing its move back from opened border between should be opened immediately. Bonn in 2001. Berlin has emerged A constant flow of air traffic Hungary and Austria. Mikhail Massive crowds rushed to the as a modern, forward thinking from West Germany to Gorbachev, the President of border crossings, and faced with utopia where anyone can find 10 the USSR, issued a statement the option of letting them through something to suit their tastes. AE 11 Cafés and Restaurants low on funds there are many cash machines (Geldautomat) around Survival Guide Common practice in Berlin is to the city, but be careful of any in sit at a table and wait for them U-Bahn stations as these charge an to come to you, not only in extortionate amount. Getting Around Beware of bicycles as well restaurants but in most cafés, and make sure to keep clear Berlin is a big city, so it’s eateries and even bars. Many will Extras of their designated lanes, find it rude if you try and order at important that you take care which can often be part of the the till. Check to see if they have It is a legal requirement to carry to know where you are going. pavement. Pick up a U/S-Bahn map when a ‘self service’ sign or a ticketing some form of ID at all times, so you arrive and you should find Jaywalking is not just frowned system. make sure you keep one about it easy to get where you need.

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