Our time travel starts with Gendarmenmarkt, surrounded by three monuments: Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral), Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) and Konzerthaus (Concert Hall). It had several names in the course of time, including Lindenmarkt, Friedrichstädtischer Market and Neuer Market, until it was named Gendarmenmarkt in 1799. It was given this name because the guard regiment, Gens d'armes, had been located here from 1736 until 1782.
Since 1999 the Museum Island, which is located in the historic center of Berlin, has been the only cultural and architectural ensemble that is considered part of UNESCO World Heritage.
Its history, however, has been very diverse. Having been swampland in the Middle Ages, it was used for several purposes in the following centuries: Friedrich I had the so-called Pomeranzenhof built at this place, a gallery for tropical fruits and exotic plants. Under Friedrich Wilhelm I the orangerie was used as a warehouse and salt storage. It was not until 1830 that the first Prussian public museum which was open to the public had been built here. It is today known as the Old Museum.
All five large museums of the Museum Island mainly exhibit archeological collections and artwork of the 19th century. After German Reunification, the collections that had been distributed across the East and West were pooled at this place to present them in a didactic context. Following a master plan, the James Simon Gallery will serve as central entrance building for the whole Museum Island from 2017 on.
The Reichstag building with its futuristic dome is the most prominent symbol for politics in Berlin. From here we drive to the government headquarters, the Bundeskanzleramt. The citizens of Berlin have given the building the nickname "washing machine". Well, in fact, depending on the perspective, there are some similarities. The Berlin architects Axel Schultes and Charlotte Frank, however, had other things in mind when their draft was approved under former chancellor Kohl. At least in terms of size, it is superior to many other government buildings: it is eight times the size of the White House in Washington, D.C .and it is currently the largest government headquarters in the world. So of course, it's one of the major landmarks of this tour.
The diplomatic missions of many foreign countries are equally impressive. The architectures of the buildings differ, but this difference attracts many visitors.
The offices of many special interest groups, however, are also located very closely to the epicenter of German politics. Some people mock the direct proximity of arms manufacturers to the Bundestag, in particular, stating that the members of the German Parliament are within sight of the lobbyists.
Landmarks include:
- Brandenburger Tor
- Russische Botschaft/Russian Embassy
- Französicher Dom
- Deutscher Dom, Staatsoper/State Opera
- Humbold Universität/Humboldt University
- Neue Wache Gedenkstätte/ Memorial for Victims of War
- Zeughaus/Arsenal, Berliner Dom/Berlin Cathedral
- Altes Museum/Old Museum
- Neues Museum/New Museum
- Alte Nationalgalerie/Old National Gallery,
- Magnus Haus, Pergamon Museum
- Berlin World Trade Center
- Bundespresseamt/Federal Press
- Reichstag, Kanzleramt/Federal Chancellery
- Abgeordnetenhaus/House of the Members of the Parliament
- Haus der Kulturen der Welt/House of World Cultures
