10 Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is considered as Europeans most beautiful square, so a must see for every tourist. Here you will find three historical buildings; the „Konzerthaus“ (Concert House), the „Deutscher Dom“ (German Cathedral), and the „Franzoesischer Dom“ (French Cathedral).
The square was laid out from 1688 to the plans of J.A. Nering. It was originally known as Linden Markt, then Friedrichstädtischer Markt or Neuer Markt. Because the square was used by a curassier regiment „gens d’arms,“ from 1736–82, complete with sentry boxes and stables, the name Gendarmenmarkt arose. From 1777, the square was developed according to unified plans drawn up by Georg Christian Unger. It was badly damaged in the Second World War. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Prussian Academy of the Sciences (Akademie der Wissenschaften), it was renamed „Platz der Akademie.“ In 1991, its previous name was restored.
Konzerthaus
The Konzerthaus is the new building designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel to replace the Nationaltheater built from 1800–02 by Karl Gotthard Langhans, which was burnt to the ground in 1817. The conception of the Konzerthaus integrates the remains of Langhan’s rectangular building and adds a higher, wider, gabled solidium in the center, complete with an ionic columned hall projecting at the front. Following its destruction in the Second World War, the building was initially only made safe, and the systematic restoration of the original design only began in 1979. Since its reopening in 1984 it has served not as a theatre, but as a concert hall.
Deutscher Dom
The German Cathedral was built from 1701-08. M. Grünberg planned it, and Giovanni Simonetti built it. From 1780-85, during the redesigning of the Gendarmenmarkt, Carl von Gontard added the domed tower onto the cathedral. The cathedral was destroyed in the Second World War as well. However, it had been reconstructed and rebuilt. The reopening was on October 2nd, 1996, five years after the reunification.
Franzoesischer Dom
The Französische Friedrichstadtkirche was built from 1701-05 by Cayart. He designed it as a church for Berlin’s Huguenot community. From 1780-85, the imposing tower of the French cathedral (Französischer Dom) was added to plans by Unger and Gontard as part of the redesigning of Gendarmenmarkt. In the World War 2, the cathedral was badly damaged. However, from 1977 on it was rebuilt and reconstructed.[:en]
Did you know that Berlin Germany has more than 140 Museums? Did you further know that this city has more than 1,400 bridges, and besides all that more than 100 additional places of interest? Read on to discover.
With about 3,400,000 inhabitants, Berlin is the largest City in Germany. It is 38 kilometres long and 45 kilometres wide. Consider that Berlin has a lot of suburbs and districts. As you know, the city was divided in its history. You will still recognize that there is/was East-Berlin and West-Berlin so it has a „City East“ and a „City West“.
Arrival is possible with four different options.
1. By aircraft – Berlin has three airports.
2. By train – it’s a junction of the German Rail Network. Example, the station „Bahnhof Zoo“ is located within Belin Mitte (City East), thus you have „instant access“ to a lot of sights and pubs.
3. By Car – All motorways to Berlin lead to the „Berliner Ring“. From there you can get to the inner city on various access roads.
4. By Bus – it’s a well-priced and comfortable way to travel to this (or any other) city. The „Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof“ (ZOB – Central Bus Station) is situated near the Exhibition Centre (ICC), in Charlottenburg, City West. From there, you have connections to over 350 destinations in Germany and Europe!
Now, shall we get started? Okay, c’mon, take my hand, let’s go sightseeing!
