Berlin has become the top tourist destination in Germany. The city’s historical sights, diverse cultural events and pulsating nightlife continue to attract record numbers of visitors. In 2014, hotel beds became scarce when the city celebrated the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with 8,000 illuminated balloons marking the former border between east and west. http://www.dw.de/destination-germany-why-you-should-come-in-2015/a-18171638
Founded in the 13th century and famous for its many historical sites, Berlin has something for everyone. Every street and building has a story to tell. The Mitte district is the most visited area of Berlin, followed by Charlottenburg, Prenzlauer Berg, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg – the first for its historic building; the last for its vibrant nightlife.
Berlin’s Historical Sights
At a minimum, a visit to Berlin must include the city’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, which for many years represented the separation of East and West Berlin. Other important sights are the Nikolai quarters where Berlin began, the Staatsoper Berlin (Opera House), the Olympic Stadium where Hitler snubbed Jesse Owens, the New Synagogue Berlin, the Berlin Zoo, the newly redeveloped Potsdamer Platz with its many shopping and dining opportunities, Museum Island, and the Reichstag (German Chancellery).
Special Events in 2015
March 27 to June 21 The Martin Gropius Bau and the Tel Aviv Museum are collaborating in “The Tel Aviv Museum of Art Visits Berlin,” art exhibition. Many of the latter’s treasures will be displayed in Germany for the first time.
April 18 to November 11 – The Bundesgartenschau (BUGA) will come to the River Havel region near Berlin. This National horticultural show has been held in different towns across Germany every two years since 1951. This year, the BUGA will extend along the River Havel over a distance of 50 miles, from Rathenow to Brandenburg via Rhinau, Havelberg, Premnitz and Stölln. Instead of the usual large hall-style exhibitions, the event will also feature flower shows in old church buildings. More than a million plants and flowers will be exhibited. In addition, various cultural events are planned, from jazz concerts to acrobatic displays.
May 23 – Berlin will be the setting for the eighth race in the electrically powered Formula E car races. The 17 turn, 2.47km circuit will be located within the ‘Apron’ section of the former Tempelhof Airport.
May 22 to September 9 – Art enthusiasts are looking forward to the “ImEx. Impressionism – Expressionism” exhibition in the Old National Gallery.
June 6 – The UEFA Soccer Champions League final will be held at the Olympic Stadium.
September 26 and 27 – The 42nd Berlin marathon is expected to once again attract 40,000 fans from around the world.
October 3 – Berlin will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany exhibitions with music events and cabaret shows.
For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.
Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.
Tags: 25th anniversary of German reunification, 42nd Berlin marathon, Berlin, Bundesgartenschau (BUGA), Formula E car races, ImEx. Impressionism - Expressionism, The Tel Aviv Museum of Art Visits Berlin, UEFA Soccer Champions League final
