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HAVE GERMAN WILL TRAVEL This Week in Histor

FAMOUS EVENTS: What happened on ... ?

Was ist am 9. November 1989 geschehen? Eroffnung der Berliner Mauer I Opening of the Wall Berlin This world city of distinction celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the .

From 11/4 to 11/10, 2019 Berlin celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the .

hat does Berlin have that other world cities don't? documentation center at the former headquarters. Well, first of all, there's the locals, whose rough yet Berlin's prestigious extends W friendly charm is all part of the Berlin experience. eastwards from towards Add to that an incredible array of sights that reflect not only square, passing the World Heritage site, as lhe city's newfound swagger but also its great histo1y and the well as , the Neue Wache and the baroque dramatic events of the 20th century. (armo1y), whjch today houses the German Histor­ When people think of Berlin, the fi rst thing that usually ical Museum. Keep going far enough and you'll reach the TV comes to mind is its most famous landmark- the Branden­ tower, which to this day remains the tallest structure in Ger­ burg Gate. For decades a symbol of division, the monument many. The view from the top, stretching across Berlin and has always been the beating heart of a major city bursting all the way to Brandenburg, is a major sightseeing highlight. with ideas, inspiration, art, cu.lture and creativity. Highlights Nearby is , widely lauded as Berlin's most in the western parts of Berlin include the Kurfiirstendamm, beautiful square. The German Cathedral, the French Cathe­ as elegant a shopping street as you'll find anywhere, the dral and the Concert Hall form an ensemble of great majesty department store (better known as and grandeur here. The atmosphere of the Hackesche Hofe, KaDeWe), on-trend boutiques and exclusive galleries, as also within the central district, is somewhat less grand, well as beautiful residential streets and, of course, Berlin's but all the more laid-back, easygoing and relaxed for it. This famous nightlife. And speaking of nightlife, no trip to Ber­ retail complex is the largest series of enclosed courtyards in lin would be complete without an evening at Friedrichstadt and has been heritage-listed since 1977. For an au­ Palast, Germany's leading variety theatre. The cosmopolitan thentic taste of Old Berlin, explore the courtyards' vibrant vibe also permeates the government d istrict, which spreads mix of art galleries, cinemas, theatres, variety venues, restau­ out to the east from Brandenburg Gate and from the neigh­ rants and bars, not to mention all the welcoming little shops boring Reichstag. There's a sense of peace and freedom in and big-name flagship stores. There's also no escaping the the air here- in stark contrast to the days when Berlin was city's artistic flair here. A characteristic that, nearly a quarter responsible for unthinkable crimes. The memorial to the of a century after the fall of the Berlin Wall, remains a defin­ murdered Jews of , a work by New York architect Peter ing feature, perhaps more so than in any other capital. Eisenman located near the Brandenburg Gate, serves as a re­ Berlin is the creative workshop of Germany, a trendset­ minder of those atrocities, as does the ter and a capital of fashion, design and music. The pro-