Berlin is the capital of Germany. The capital of Germany is Berlin. The Berlin TV Tower is a modern symbol of the city.

Berlin

The federal state of Berlin, with a population of about 3.5 million people, is located on an area of ​​approximately 891 km2: 45 km from east to west and 38 km from north to south.

Today Berlin is not only the capital of Germany, it is the most Big city with a developed industry, represented by such industries as: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, clothing, optical and chemical products, furniture, food and paper industries. In addition, Berlin combines cities, villages, communes that intersect with rivers (4 major rivers and shipping channels), forests (about 17% of the area) and lakes (6 of the most famous lakes).

The history of Berlin is not entirely ordinary. It was the so-called “paired” city of Berlin-Cologne, which began its history with the cooperation of those who received in 1235. the status of cities of ordinary fishing villages - Cologne (island of the Spree River) and Berlin (opposite the eastern bank). Neighboring settlements formed a common administration on the bridge connecting them (today the Rathausbrücke). Profitable geographical location The dual city of Berlin-Cologne became the key to rapid economic success. Thus, the first official historical mentions of Cologne appear in 1237, Berlin - 1244. In 1307 Berlin-Cologne, having united into one city, achieved great importance in the Märck city union, a little later becoming a member of the Hansa.

The entire history of Berlin is full of various political and economic events. So, in 1451, after popular unrest, Prince Frederick II made the city his residence. Under the next ruler of Berlin, Governor Johann Cicero (1455-1499), the city became the capital of Kurbrandenburg. XV century and the reign of the Hohenzollern dynasty was also a favorable period for the development of Berlin, which became their capital.

The period 1640-1688, despite previous disasters (fires, plague and war), was marked as a time of rapid prosperity for Berlin, which was the merit of Friedrich Wilhelm, nicknamed the “soldier king”. The city not only became a fortress, the first grandiose buildings were erected in it, like the “Unter den Linden” that has survived to this day.

Since 1696 Not only were the Academies of Arts, Sciences and the University built in Berlin, but the city also experienced rapid industrialization. This determined the assignment of Berlin to the title of the cultural and economic center of Prussia. Frederick the Great supported the architectural modernization of the city, bringing in the architect Knobelsdorff for this purpose. In addition, science, research, art and culture are actively developing, which contributes to the prosperity of Prussia and makes Berlin the center of the Enlightenment. The city is building castles, public buildings, and private mansions. The greatest minds of the time flocked to Berlin. So, in 1697 the city had 220 thousand inhabitants, and after just a century the population increased 4 times!

In the 18th century after the construction of the wall, three more villages find themselves inside, joining Berlin and Cologne, forming new town. Berlin's position as the capital and residence did not change in 1701, when Prince Frederick III self-proclaimed himself King of Prussia - Frederick the First. In 1806-1808 Berlin survived the conquest of Napoleon's army, and in the following decades the renewal of cultural life was embodied in the construction of the magnificent classical buildings of Schinkel, as well as the magnificent Lehne parks. The city is even called “Athens on the Spree”.

Events surrounding the Industrial Revolution and imprisonment Customs Union in 1834 significantly increased the importance of Berlin for Germany. In the city, which already has 400 thousand inhabitants, the most a large number of barracks to accommodate arriving workers. 1871 - the year of the founding of the German Empire, whose king was Wilhelm I (1861-1888), and the capital was Berlin, where 800 thousand people already lived. During the reign of Wilhelm II (1888-1918) - the last German emperor - the Reich reached its power, which became possible thanks to the economic, financial and military power of the city. Berlin is growing at an incredible pace, and by 1900. the number of inhabitants was already more than 1.5 million people.

After the First World War (1914-1918), a deep crisis arose in Berlin, as well as throughout the country, caused by a heavy defeat in the war, the abdication and emigration of the emperor. Soon the First Republic was proclaimed, and the harsh suppression of the Spartacist uprising marked the beginning of the emergence of a new Berlin in the 20s, which included nearby communes: Neukölln, Charlottenburg, Schöneberg, Spandau, Schöneberg, etc.

Despite the decline of the economy and revolutionary worries, in the 1920s cultural life continues its development, marking the beginning of a time of rapid renewal. The mood of freedom is conducive to creativity, intellectual and artistic life is in full swing. New theatrical productions, successful film premieres, incomparable night life variety shows turned Berlin into the center of the Golden Twenties. Now Berlin is the world capital of entertainment, bohemia and the avant-garde, and no other city can surpass it in this. Of course, Berlin becomes the habitat of the most famous cultural and scientific figures. Artists (O. Dix, V. Kandinsky), writers (B. Brecht, S. Zweig, T. Mann), scientists (R. Vikhrov, R. Koch, E. Behring, M. Planck, K. .Bosch, A.Einstein).

In 1933, with the coming to power of Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler and the subsequent establishment of the Nazi regime, a dark streak began in the life of the city. By the beginning of World War II, in 1939, 4.5 million people lived in Berlin. Since 1941 Until May 1945, air attacks began on Berlin, the center of the fascist state. During this time, 75 thousand tons of bombs were dropped on the city, the population decreased by half, and a third of residential buildings and historical buildings were destroyed. The artificial mountains Klammottenberg and Trümmerberg were subsequently built from the rubble formed from the debris.

The capital, which lay in ruins, was divided into zones by 4 victorious countries (Soviet Union-east, USA-southwest, Great Britain-west, France-northwest). After blocking by the Soviet Union since 1948. Berlin experienced a blockade of the three western sectors for almost a year. In 1949 Berlin is divided into two parts, the eastern of which becomes the territory of the new state of the GDR.

Over the course of 8 years (1953-1961), as a result of the constant outflow of GDR citizens, there were 200 thousand more residents in the Federal Republic of Germany. The GDR is not interested in this situation, and on August 13, 1961. A double wall is erected surrounding West Berlin. Now that relatives and friends living on opposite sides of the wall can no longer meet, the waiting room at the Bahnhof Friedrichstraβe station, nicknamed the “palace of tears,” has become a cult place.

In June 1963, after a speech by US President John F. Kennedy at the Schöneberg City Hall in Berlin, an agreement on the access system was signed. And in November 1989 There was a peaceful revolution in the GDR, and the Berlin Wall was suddenly destroyed. The destruction of the artificially created barrier became the reason for reunification in October 1990. Germany, and, accordingly, Berlin, which again became the capital.

New name for Berlin

Great Hall (“Hall of Fame”, “Hall of the People”)

Main article: Big hall(Berlin)

The remains of the erected box of the building of the Faculty of Defense and Technology were filled up after the war with construction waste from the dismantling of city ruins, and a mountain appeared Teufelsberg(German) Teufelsberg- Devil's Mountain) with a height of 114.7 m. After the war, the top of the mountain was used by the US military to listen to radio traffic in the Eastern Bloc, and then thousands of trees were planted on Teufelsberg, and the mountain turned into a recreation area.

Südstadt

As a continuation of the North-South Axis, it was planned to build the so-called Südstadt(German) Südstadt - Southern City), a residential area for 210 thousand inhabitants and the number of jobs per 100 thousand people.

Surviving objects

The project envisaged creating a traffic lightless traffic system at the intersection of the main transport routes - the East-West and North-South Axis in Greater Tiergarten and equipping it with a system of tunnels. During the preparatory work, two sections of the tunnel were built, which have survived to this day.

Street Parade ground 4th of July(German) Platz des 4. Juli) in the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf - the only section of the fourth outer ring (autobahn), which, according to the plan, was supposed to encircle the renewed city of Germany. In the post-war period, the street served for parades of the American military unit stationed nearby, including on US Independence Day on July 4, which gave the street its modern name.

see also

Links

• newsru.com: “Germany embodies Hitler’s dream: “capital of the world,” but in miniature”
• Architecture of totalitarianism. Hitler and his "capital of the world"

By German standards, Berlin is a young city, but architectural monuments There are quite a few here, and not only ancient ones. An imperial spirit reigns in Berlin, because it is the capital of Prussia, warlike and arrogant. ABOUT Berlin Wall says the Checkpoint Charlie museum.

A little history

Around 1200, on the site where it is now located Berlin, there were two trading settlements - Berlin and Cologne. In 1307 they united, and by 1400 the population of united Berlin was about 8 thousand people.

This story was destined to repeat itself many years later: the capital of Prussia, later the German Empire, after World War II was divided into zones of occupation - the western sectors united into West Berlin, which was endowed with a special status, but in fact was part of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The GDR government separated West Berlin with a wall, which became a symbol of the Cold War, which was destroyed in 1989, the two Germanys united into one country with its capital in Berlin. The population of united Berlin was 3.4 million people.

Attractions

By German standards, Berlin is a young city, but there are many architectural monuments here, and not only ancient ones. ABOUT (Berliner Mauer, officially Antifaschistischer Schutzwall) says the Checkpoint Charlie museum, and the wall itself left red stripes on the asphalt.

The imperial spirit reigns in Berlin, because it is the capital of Prussia, warlike and arrogant. The two most characteristic symbols are the building (Reichstag), reminiscent of the dark pages of history, and (Brandenburger Tor). They are one of 14 city gates, built in 1791, that have survived to this day. Four bronze horses traveled to Paris in 1806: Napoleon ordered the quadriga to be removed and sent to Paris as a military trophy. But after 8 years, Napoleon’s troops were defeated and the horses, which returned to their place in 1812, still adorn the gates today.

Of all the streets in Berlin, the most famous are Kurfürstendamm and . Avenue Kurfürstendamm built 135 years ago. Chancellor Bismarck wanted to have a street no worse than the Champs Elysees in Paris. Today is the street shopping centers and boutiques.

Here is the symbol of West Berlin, (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche or Gedächtniskirche), destroyed in 1943 during an air raid. Its destroyed bell tower was left as a memory of the terrible war years, and a modern church ensemble was placed next to it.

Boulevard Unter den Linden– the name translates as “under the linden trees” – a cozy place with many cafes. Equestrian monument to Frederick the Great– a meeting place (under the horse’s tail). From here you can take a ride in a two-story excursion bus around the city, or you can just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and admire city life.

For those who love art, Berlin has 170 museums, the most famous of which are located between the Kupfergraben districts and the Spree River.

During World War II, Berlin suffered greatly, but today almost all restoration work has been completed, and the German capital welcomes guests with pleasure.

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Berlin - beautiful city Europe

Berlin to last years attracts the attention of a huge number of tourists from different countries world, and this is not at all accidental. The capital of Germany has long held the unofficial title of not only one of the most beautiful cities Europe, but also scientific and cultural capital peace.

Etymology of the word

The word “Berlin” itself has been causing controversy among historians and linguists for centuries. The thing is that the capital of Germany was previously a small village inhabited mainly by Slavs. Therefore, most foreign researchers believe that the etymological basis of this word is the Slavic “birl”, that is, swamps, swamps. The residents of Berlin themselves are sure that this name comes from the German “ber” - bear, because once upon a time this region was literally swarming with these predators. Only one thing is certain: the first mention of this city dates back to the mid-13th century in connection with a story in chronicles about a small settlement at the confluence of the Spree and Havel rivers.

Alexanderplatz is the geographical center of the capital of Germany

The geographical center of the city should be recognized as the famous Alexanderplatz square - one of the most beautiful in the world. With this name, the capital of Germany supposedly reminds everyone of the assistance that Russia then provided to Prussia, freeing it from Napoleon’s troops. This square received its name in honor of Emperor Alexander Pavlovich, who led the Russian army during the famous foreign campaign.

Berlin TV Tower - a modern symbol of the city

Next to the square is one of the modern symbols of Berlin - the TV tower, which is considered one of the tallest in the world. Every day thousands of tourists climb it to get the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable spectacle - to look at the city from a bird's eye view.

Along Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate

The main street of the city has been Unter den Linden for centuries. It received its name due to the fact that, by order of the founder of the Prussian kingdom, Friedrich Wilhelm, more than two thousand linden trees were planted here, which gave this highway its unique charm. One end of Unter den Linden abuts the mighty Brandenburg Gate. Built at the end of the 18th century, they have seen many triumphs and defeats. It was through them that brave German soldiers passed and allies entered, striving for the capital of Germany to bow its head before them.

The Reichstag in Berlin is a symbol of Russian courage

Just a few minutes' walk from the Brandenburg Gate there is another memorable building - the German parliament building. The Reichstag in Berlin is a true masterpiece of architecture, but for Russia it is a symbol of the Great Victory. By the way, it is for this reason that the German national flag is currently not flying on the central dome of the Reichstag; the symbols of the state are hung only on the sides of this structure.

The attractive power of the capital. City of Berlin

Germany has been attracting millions of researchers and tourists for many years. It is in the capital that you can get acquainted with the famous German style, admire the magnificent German culture and plunge into the maelstrom of secrets of European history.

The capital of Germany... Hardly in modern world There is a person who has never heard of a city like Berlin in his life. But what do we know about him, and do we know at all? Yes, it's the biggest administrative center Germany, both in terms of area and the number of people living here. In addition, it is deservedly considered the most important transport, trade and economic hub in the world. And what else?

Capital of Germany. general description

It should be noted that this city, located on two rivers at once - the Spree and the Havel, has become the capital more than once. Throughout its history, it managed to be the main city of several states at once, for example, the Margraviate of Brandenburg, the Kingdom of Prussia. Until 1990, only its capital was considered the capital of the GDR East End, and since reunification, Berlin has finally received the status of the main city of the entire state.

IN this moment, despite the fact that massive and almost ubiquitous construction is taking place in Berlin, the city administration and the citizens themselves are doing their best to give it a more comfortable and well-groomed look. Here, even communication pipes are painted in different colors.

Perhaps everyone can find something for themselves here. Architecture lovers will definitely be amazed Cathedral, located right on the river, local and Jewish Quarter buildings.

If a traveler is ready to discover something new and unusual, Berlin (Germany) is exactly the place where he should definitely visit at the first opportunity. Why? And where else if not here can you find so many unusual, original and sometimes simply breathtaking monuments, statues and monuments. For example, the most interesting are the Memorial to Burnt Books on Babel Square, the monument to Jewish tailors, sculptures dedicated to the people of Berlin, the lucky rat Lorchen on the embankment, and Saint Gertrude on one of the bridges.

Capital of Germany. What to see first

1. Unter den Linden. First of all, I would advise you to walk along the famous Unter den Linden boulevard, the name of which, translated into Russian, means “Under the linden trees.” The street has been considered a symbol of the capital for more than 300 years, and the secret of its attractiveness lies in the presence of a huge number of different architectural monuments. Many of them were built by masters of past centuries. For example, Opera theatre, a library founded in 1870, the Lustgarten Museum, the Fire Tower and, finally, world-famous
2. If you exit from the north side of the gate and walk just a few meters, you can see the Reichstag in Berlin. The neo-Renaissance building now serves as the seat of parliament. Under a huge glass dome there is a very popular among tourists Observation deck. From there you can actually get a bird's eye view of the city.
3. Berlin Zoo. If you have time, you should definitely visit the Berlin Zoo. The history of this place goes back several centuries. Initially created as a menagerie at the court of Frederick William IV, the zoo was constantly replenished not only with rare birds and animals, but also with seedlings of unique plants. Now here is the richest collection of representatives of the world's flora and fauna in Europe.
4. Aquare House. A glass atrium containing numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, offices and even a luxury hotel. But this is far from the most important thing. The fact is that everyone who looks inside this room will be able to admire with their own eyes the huge model Atlantic Ocean. Here you can meet the inhabitants depths of the sea, watch the life of a real coral reef and listen to the most exciting excursions.

Capital of Germany. The symbol of the city

Many people probably know that the symbol of Berlin is a bear cub. And those who have already managed to visit this city have noticed that figures of this funny animal very often decorate not only city squares, parks and supermarkets, but also the private homes of ordinary citizens.

No one knows exactly why the bear is located on the city’s coat of arms. There are many legends, speculations and options, but, nevertheless, an animal figurine can be purchased without any problems for approximately and later decorated as your heart dictates. Some people turn it into a fabulous and cheerful creature, somewhat reminiscent of a good keeper of the house, some want to see elements or branches of a family tree on it, while others simply use it for the purpose of promoting and advertising the family business.

Having visited this amazing city several times, I noticed one amazing nuance. In Berlin, you need to walk as long as possible, trying to penetrate this place in order to feel it. In pursuit of successful and unusual shots, with a camera in hand, you can miss the main thing, namely, not notice his mood and spirit.