In May 1945, Berlin's historic city center lay buried in ruins, rubble, and ash. The consequences of this dark era still dominate the cityscape of the historic center today. But the remnants of the past are still hidden in the midst of today's vibrant metropolis.
We will go in search of traces of Berlin's history before the destruction, before the bombs fell.
What was destroyed, and what even survived the bombs? What was demolished during the GDR era, and what was rebuilt?
We will explore Berlin's history from its founding in the Middle Ages to the Second World War, which changed Berlin's face forever.
We will shed light on the city's beginnings in the Middle Ages and look at its development from a trading city to a royal residence to an industrial metropolis.
We will see how Berlin became one of the most magnificent cities in the world before everything was reduced to rubble.
We gain an understanding of how margraves, electors, kings and emperors wanted to – and did – immortalize themselves in this city.
Using historical paintings and photographs, which we compare with the city as it is today, we bring the almost forgotten, beautiful royal residence city of Berlin back to life and can understand what life was like for Berliners.
In three parts, we will explore Berlin's eventful history and look at Berlin as it has changed over time:
In Old Berlin, we start at the Neptune Fountain opposite the Red Town Hall and delve into Berlin's beginnings at St. Mary's Church. We will explore the oldest market square in the city, the last remnants of the first city wall, and the first church in Berlin: St. Nicholas Church.
In Old Cölln, we start at Castle Square and follow the development into the imperial capital on Museum Island. The Marstall, Berlin Palace, Berlin Cathedral, the Altes Museum, and the National Gallery are today the witnesses to the heyday of the Prussian rulers.
Unter den Linden takes us from Bebelplatz to Pariser Platz and shows the scope and significance of this unique city. We see how Frederick the Great wanted to express himself architecturally, we see Berlin's customs wall, and we experience the birth of democracy in Germany at Platz der Republik.
