Things to do in Fangschleuse

This enormous monument in the form of a neoclassical arch constructed from sandstone, is intrinsically linked with the history of Berlin and Germany. Built over two centuries ago, in 1791, the Brandenburg Gate was originally constructed to mark the entrance to Unter den Linden, Berlin's grandest boulevard. The arch was also intended to be a symbol of peace. There is a clear Greek influence in this monument, with the design of the Brandenburg Gate closely corresponding to the Acropolis in Athens.

The Alexanderplatz can be viewed very much as a transport hub for the city of Berlin as well, although it has plenty to offer visitors with its world-class shopping and panoramic views over the entire city.

Potsdamer Platz is a cast-iron example of the success of urban renewal in Berlin. This was a no man’s land during the Cold War, when Berlin was divided along political lines. In its pre-war heyday, the Potsdamer Platz had been one of Europe’s most bustling areas and the busiest traffic intersection in Europe.

Berliner Dom is one of the dominant sights on Berlin’s skyline. The striking dome contained within the structure of this Protestant cathedral can be seen from almost anywhere around the city. The Berliner Dom was decimated by bombing during the Second World War, but was thankfully restored to its former glory in the post-war period.

Lined by some of Germany’s most exclusive department stores and surrounded by major historical attractions, the Friedrichstrasse cultural and shopping precinct in Berlin’s Mitte district has undergone extreme change since the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, at its center find one of the city’s most unusual tourist attractions, throwing you back into the Cold War era. Friedrichstrasse is today one of Berlin’s most visited streets. It is home to Checkpoint Charlie, one of the very few Cold War border crossings between East and West Berlin.

Walk through the Gendarmenmarkt and admire some of Berlin’s most attractive architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. This square features an imposing central statue depicting poet Friedrich Schiller and is overlooked by three landmark Berlin buildings: the French Cathedral, the German Cathedral and the Konzerthaus.

Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is located in central Berlin in the River Spree. The island, as the name would suggest, boasts a collection of excellent museums. In particular, there are five world-class museums located at the northern end of the island, which were built between 1824 and 1930. It is not merely the content of the museums that is of interest—the architectural value of the buildings is also vast, and they also reflect an evolution in the design of contemporary museum development.

The East Side Gallery is a memorial to Berlin’s reunification in 1990 and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The monument to Berlin’s freedom is a 0.8-mile (1.3-kilometer) stretch of the old Berlin Wall that was covered in colorful murals in 1990. Stroll along one of the world’s longest open-air galleries to experience the heartfelt and historical paintings.