Berlin - sightseeing

Since in 1945, at the end of the Second World War, Berlin was little more than a pile of rubble, and that after Germany split into two parts it was the point of closest contact of two competing cultures, it has been the site of a great deal of architectural efforts.

While the Eastern part of Berlin is characterized by huge avenues, like the Karl Marx Allee, with huge symmetric buildings that may not be that beautiful but are certainly imposing, the Western part is full of masterpieces of modern architecture, with works by the most prominent German architects and a choice of the best architects from all over the world.

After the reunification, the architectural efforts have all but waned: the whole of Potsdammer Platz, which had been razed during the war and, being near the wall, had not been rebuilt. In the years following 1989 it has become one of the biggest construction sites in the world, and is now a place where you can find buildings by the likes of Renzo Piano and Helmut Jahn.

If you’re particularly interested in modern architecture, we suggest you to buy one of the specific guides which can be found in the best bookshops around the city.

Potsdam is a small city not far from Berlin. It is definitely worth a visit due to the Sans Souci Palace, which comprises a series of parks and villas.

The park is huge and full of nice little spots, fountains, buildings and statues, so it is advised to take a whole day to enjoy it properly.