Anyone Worldwide: Civilization Awareness @GERMANY

My first Europe experience was in a country which is the one of the most developed one, Germany! The first time in my life sky impressed me as much was in Germany! Moreover nature! It was the reason to feel like I am living in some movies or books!

During my 6 months to study in Berlin, I had a chance to learn a lot about their close history. Additionally, I had a few more visits in different times to country’s other cities after my 6 months life experience in Berlin.

More than my visits to other cities in the same country, Germany will mean for me always my Berlin days...

Let’s throw it back BERLIN days!

You love Berlin or you don’t! The city doesn’t have something in the middle. Berlin has its own strong character with its life style. More than structures, places, shopping…etc you should feel the soul of the city to understand more.

Berlin is the current capital of Germany. And since 1989 united. This city provides great opportunity to discover recent story of Europe and deeply see the traces of II. World War.

When you are on the streets you are feeling in 1940s… Each part of the city shows the history to visitors!

Living with this recent history on today is the best part of Berlin!

Berlin is unique with its multicultural and alternative life style. That is why many people from all around the world are living in the same city in a peace and freedom.

You know that the recent history is living behind of all buildings, streets…etc.

Last but not least about Berlin: you may find many different alternative life style to live in Berlin but don’t forget all alternatives have one Berlin culture!

Berlin Wall remembers itself to you during your visit on the streets. If you will see in the middle of the way different kind of stones that means; it was Berlin Wall in the past at there!

When I arrived to Berlin it was already spring. But spring in Germany even in Berlin doesn’t mean really good weathers! You should get ready to have snow until end of April!

During this cold season my university and living area was 40 minutes far from city center. This distance provides me a chance to discover local life of past East Germany! I strongly recommend to visit Brandenburg an der Havel to discover deep Germany with its great nature! End of Berlin’s part of my blog post, I will add notes from two small but nice cities around Berlin!

Brandenburger Tor

Before moving to Berlin, I had one souvenir from Brandenburger Tor at my home. Even the figure of it was impressing me and each time interesting me to be there and stay in front of it. :)

So, my first meeting with it was when I was walking from the side of Friedrich Strasse in one cold night. It dressed with lights during the night. This master piece and symbol of city impressed me on our first meeting. I was feeling fast heartbeat in front of it! And start to feel great to be in Berlin!

This historical structure is there since end of 1700s. It was build as a door of the city! It met with different nations, for their war, separating the lives and many stories... Maybe those all factors are doing it different than everything! But today, this door is symbolizing free united Berlin!

I had a lot of moments in front of Brandenburger Tor. Each time of the day, during celebrations, concerts…etc!

Also Brandenburger Tor is the middle of everywhere during your visit in Berlin. It is very close to see other historical structures by walking. I am going to start to explain the places to see around of Brandenburger Tor below.

By the way don’t forget to walk around Unter den Linden! This boulevard is the main street in Mitte (center of the city) which is meeting with Brandenburger Tor.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Don’t be so far from the Brandenburger Tor to see this meaningful memorial! In the beginning if you don’t have an idea what you are visiting between different sizes of stones. But after visiting the Memorial Museum under of Memorial Stones, you will feel more where you are! That is why I recommend to see the Museum under the Memorial then spent more time inside of this structures!

Each place between two stones is not giving allow to pass two people in the same time! This architecture shows you how Jews were walking during II. World War in the concentration camps. You should note this reality to feel and understand more during your visit or taking picture between of this stones… I am sure it will be more meaningful with this way!

Reichstag – Bundestag

Famous Reichstag! You don’t have to know the exact name of this important parliament building! But I am sure you have to know this place’s history and its fire! How it changed the story of Europe and World!

When you watch to Bundestag, you will see its glass top because of fire from 1933 and with this reality you are feeling inside of the history! This glass design means pure and clear democracy nowadays!

It is always huge lines in front of there to visit up of the building! Maybe you can feel lazy to stay and wait on the line to visit there. So, don’t! It is possible to book tickets for visiting from internet earlier than visiting day!

Until being on the top you are not understanding the meaning but when you are there, all Berlin with all views will be in front of you! Same time you may listen to tape recording to understand where you are seeing!

After climbing the top, you will see big hole to see sky! Before going out just go under this hole and lie down! Watch the sky! Watch the history! Don’t forget what happened in 1933 at the same place where you are lying.

I was lucky to see also inside of current parliament building but it is not open for visitors normally! The building is just near of Bundestag and you may go and see outside of building! You should just show an attention for glass walls! It writes all German laws on the glasses! It symbolize pure democracy!

Berlin Haubtbahnof

Here is the main train station of Berlin. The atmosphere of station is the reason you feel cool. This station also has historical importance and the location is almost center of many master places in Berlin. (Just across of Reichstag!)

If you will decide to take a train from Berlin, it will be good choice to do it from Berlin Hbf.

Tiergarten

When you are around of Brandenburger Tor and Bundestag, don’t leave from here without visiting the biggest park of Berlin!

This park is symbolizing Berlin’s natural and green side! Of course this is not the just green area of the city but it is the biggest and most impressive one!

Have your sandwich and beverage while enjoying your lunch during the visit of the park!

Lastly, Tiergarten was at West Berlin in the past.

Berliner Siegessäule

It is possible to see this victory column from Brandenburger Tor or Tiergarten. I recommend to follow the way from Brandenburger Tor to this column to be closer. I have walked this way during Christopher Street Day in Berlin!

You will see the Prussian Victory symbol from 1800s. Possible to find more information about Siegessäule from Wikipedia.

Checkpoint Charlie – Checkpoint C

This important historical place known by many people from movies, documentaries or memories... You may walk from Brandenburger Tor to there. Just follow the way of Französische Strasse where is the modern and lux shopping area! It is good way to reach Charlie’s Check Point.

After walking at the end of Französische Strasse you will see Checkpoint Charlie. Today there is still some actors looking like American soldiers waiting with American flag for symbol and to attract the tourists!

This place shows the reality from end of 1940s to us! But, don’t finish here your visit before seeing the open air museum. It is just near of C checkpoint and to see a piece of Berlin Wall Memorial in there!

Lastly, don’t forget it was just one of the three points to pass between West and East Berlin in the past.

Jewish Museum

This museum is not so far from Checkpoint Charlie. It includes all Jewish history and II. World War times. It is emotionally affecting a lot during the visit but also it is giving an opportunity to see close history’s reality!

Especially some part of museum has some donated modern arts by artists to show the shame of humanity!

Fernsehturm - TV Tower

Alexanderplatz! Another master place of Berlin! You may see famous TV tower and go up to watch Berlin! I haven’t try to be in the top but it may be interesting.

This TV tower built in 1960s by East Germany and it has an importance to show poverty of East Germany. Also, you may see the tower almost from every part of city!

Alexander Platz square has some main places to see! Also, sometimes you may see some traditional markets or beer gardens in here! That would be cool to be part of those events! Don’t forget to see World Clock in the middle of square and it is very interesting!

When you are so close to TV Tower, I just want to share one of my favorite place in here:

Berlin Hackescher Markt near the train station and close to river!!!! Here is a great place for chilling on sunny weathers! Also, each cafe and restaurant has its own cool and interesting design!

Berliner Dom

From outside it shows to us strong gothic, baroque and neo-renaissance architectural styles. It was built for the first time in 1451 but until today it changed many times and found the last style today. It has different architectural styles cause of changed many times in 500 years. At the same time it shows some signes of II. Word War with its black colors. Watching its black and green looking from the garden during nice weather is very cool!

Inside of Dom is also very impressive and you can climb to top! It is also great to watch city from top as past times…

It is possible to see Dom from the river side!

Museum Islands

This valuable area includes big and important museums. I have visited one of the master one which is Pergamon Museum!

Germany has very rich historical objects in the museums. You may see inside human history and real pieces from everywhere around of the world!

Gardens of museum islands are very cool also!

Other five museums are also locating the same island and each of them includes valuable history inside of them. For instance Egyptian Museum has Nefertiti bust! Don’t miss it if you have time!

Postdamer Platz

This part of the city is very close to Brandenburger Tor also. This is the modern and the newest place. You may see many big buildings and new places. Here is no economic alternitve to spend a time comparing to the other sides of the city. But don’t hesitate to go and see Sony center! It is really futuristic and very modern shopping and meeting area.

Panorama Berlin – Postdamer Platz

Also I have visited the Panaroma in this neighborhood. I have been in the top of the biggest building in this neighborhood which is called Panorama! It was nice to see all part of the city via panoramic way and have a coffee during this moment!

Also you may visit the patisseries in this neighborhood to find the best Apfel strudel! It is a traditional dessert from Austria!

Zoolich Garten

Berlin’s zoo is the one of the biggest one in Europe! Generally I am against of zoos but sometimes no choice! It was very big and I spent almost a day to finish all part of zoo! The best thing is for this Zoolich Garten, you are still center of the city and not so far to see many animal friends from all around the world!

From here, you may go to famous Kadewe Mall which is one of the most luxury one in Berlin! This mall’s top floor provides all world cuisines to lunch or dinner!

My biggest advice will be for Hamburger Truck close to zoo. This truck is more on the way to Kadewe Mall! They were doing the best hamburger I have ever eaten in my life!

Mauer Park

I think this park is the coolest one in Berlin! You may be there for any reason! Concert, festival, barbeque or chilling! Don’t miss to spend one Sunday afternoon in here! :)

Lastly, Karaoke parties and Flea markets are the specialties of this park!

Kulturbrauerei

The English meaningof this place Culture Brewery and this cool place has many kind of cultural areas inside. In the past it was a beer factory and has a different architecture style. Today, it is one of the coolest place in Berlin with its clubs and cultural parts.

Berliner Mauer - East Side Gallery

It is the last 1.3km part of Berlin Wall. Today, when you are visiting the Wall you may see many different kind of arts on the Wall by many artists. Also, today the Wall symbolizes international freedom. One side of the Wall from the way and another side is from the park. I always love to visit to Wall from the park side because it is less touristic than other side :)

End of the Wall you will back to city life and today again. Then, Oberbaumbrücke will welcome to you from 1990s…

Schloss Charlottenburg

The palace from 17th century is described as the largest palace of Berlin. This palace has really interesting symmetry and even inside of it has great arts, garden of palace is also very beautiful. It has baroque and rococo architectural styles and impresses you during visit.

Kreuzberg

Here is the heart of Berlin! It is a big district and each part has its own characteristic. Mostly it is famous as being a Turkish neighborhood.

There are many Turkish restaurants and cultural habits in Kreuzberg you may see.

Also, here is very trendy neighborhood with night clubs, bars and alternative places. Kottbusser Tor U- bahn station and Oranienplatz are popular to discover for Kreuzberg.

Neue Synagoge

It is the main synagogue of Jewish community in Berlin. Even the synagogue was damaged during II. World War, today the architecture of this synagogue is a very important piece of Berlin.

Oranienburger Strasse is good to see this synagogue and visit the neighborhood.

Salvador Dali Museum

Dali fans! This museum is locating at Postdamer Platz and includes different kind of Dali’s works of art.

Possible to meet with more than 400 Dali’s surrealist arts and his other works. For more information you may visit www.daliberlin.de

Museum of Photography

This museum is in Charlottenburg area. It is in front of Zoologischer Garten train station and has Helmut Newton’s collection. This museum provides good experience to meet with Helmut Newton’s unique collection.

Warschauer Strasse

Warsaw Street is very local and very Berlin! This unconventional neighborhood shows the Berlin’s real life style more than all touristic places. I recommend to use S-Bahn and U-Bahn station of Warschauer Strasse to reach this area. This train station gives the first impression about neighborhood.

Then climb the stairs, turn right and start to watch train station during your walk! Now you may lose your way in the small streets to discover the neighborhood to find the coolest bars of the city! Also, for night outs there is some non-stop bars in this neighborhood.

Friedrich Strasse

Here is the one of the main street and neighborhood of the city.

The train station in this neighborhood is good to start this area. Also, I strongly recommend to have some coffee or cocktails near of Friedrich Strasse train station and near the Spree River. Van Gogh Bar would be near of the river my advice during on a Sunny Sunday.

Rosa - Luxemburg Strasse

Here is one of the main street of the city. The main structure is Volksbühne – People’s Theatre in this historical street. Also, as all part of Berlin, here has many memories from II. World War and after it.

At the same time, I have an advice for this neighborhood to use U Rosenthaler Platz station then lose your way between on the streets in the neighborhood.

There are many street arts and cool cafes...

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

This is the one Nazi concentration camp in the north of Berlin. Orienburg S-bahn line drives you to this camp area and almost a day will be enough to deeply visit and understand the camp.

Unfortunately, after this visit a human being can not feel normal and motivated to back normal life again. But, learn and meet with the history is better than doing anything about it!

Camp includes different parts inside of it. It is allowed to check all part and take photos.

Mustafa Gemüse Kebab

The most famous kebab of Berlin! You may use Mehringdamm U-Bahn station to go to this small kebab shop in the middle of the street. Don’t be surprised if you will wait around 2-3 hours on the line to have a kebab! Because it is super famous in Berlin!

Highlights to be more integrated to the local life: Beer gardens, curry wurst, open air parties, Berliner, Club Mate, festivals, flea markets, no make-up!

Coolest Parties Ever in Berlin --> Club Visionär, Crack Bellmer, Licht Park, Madame Claude Bar

Carnival of Cultures --> Every year in early summer all city is celebrating different cultures with foods, dances...etc.

Brandenburg an der Havel

This small city is far from Berlin, around 40 minutes by train. Here is very small city and its small streets, nature and the river side has amazing aspects!

If the weather is great don’t hesitate to go to this typical German city.

Also, it has very characteristic beer gardens and restaurants! My favorite one was: Astra in this city :)

Potsdam

Here is closer than Brandenburg an der Havel and it is just on the way to there. Those both places are great to spend totally one day. The master piece of the city is Sanssouci Palace!

This palace is very attractive with its architecture also, it was summer palace of King of Prussia. More information about history of palace: Wikipedia has great explanation.

More than palace, losing your way inside the small streets of the city is also great!

BONN & KOLN (COLOGNE)

My other visit after years of my study in Berlin was for Bonn and Köln! It was a very short business trip to there.

Bonn, it is small but very green city! Rhine River meets very well with this nature in the city. Also, don’t forget it was the capital of West Germany in the past!

From Bonn to Köln you may have a train and around 30 minutes later you arrive to Cologne Bhf. Cologne Bhf is just in front of Kölner Dom or Cologne Cathedral. This super gothic cathedral started to build in 1248!

Also Köln’s beer Kölsh is very famous! You may find some restaurants and beer gardens around the cathedral to drink it with its special glasses!

Lastly, I experienced the Cologne costume tour with the night watchman. Our guide dressed from past centuries and bring to us this atmosphere of the old city with its story by his guidance.

MUNICH

Finally time to experience the Bavaria! Their beer and wurst is different! Their German is different! Their lifestyle is different!

After hearing a lot about Bavaria it was a nice chance to discover Munich during New Year Season!

Munich is Bavaria’s capital! And Octoberfest is very famous in this city! I wish to be there once! But my visit was for New Year party at Tollwood New Year Festival! It was a great experience to discover German culture more!

Neuhauser Strasse

This Street was our main Street during the visit. From Munich Hbf to Marienplatz this way was the easiest one.

This Street is very lively and possible to see different kind of architectural structures, buildings and churches on the way to Marienplatz.

Especially, St Michael’s Church is very attractive and you may stop on the way just for a visit. It has a renaissance style and very different than what we mostly get used to see in Europe!

Marienplatz

Here is the most famous square of the city. The square isn’t too big but it is many different things to do and try. Main structure in this square is Neues Rathaus. This gothic building was very attractive during New Year night.

But, after visited it at day light, inside of the building has very gothic architecture. Also, around 11 a.m. or 12.00 it was one surprise from the tower! Many people were waiting in front of it and we did same! It start a small show from the tower during a few minutes! It was very nice and positive! :)

Altes Rathaus is another building in this square. This city’s difference was different architectural styles in the same time. It is really impressive to feel any period of art!

It is possible to see some Local Street Food Market at the end of the square! If you are lucky don’t miss to try Weisswurst, a traditional Bavarian sausage!

Olympic Stadium

This stadium is from 1972 Olympic Games! The stadium and all area were very impressive!

Today, this stadium is historically important for Olympic Games because of events during the games! For more information I recommend to Wikipedia!

BMW Museum

Here is just near of Olympic Stadium.

If we are almost here why not to visit and see BMW’s historic or very modern designs inside of the museum!

It was a very different experience and if you are lucky, it is possible to have a small tour with an old BMW inside the museum!

Englischer Garten

I learnt very well that Germany means nature! This time I confirmed this cliché one more time! English Garden is opened since 1789 and today it has different parts inside of the park.