Berlin, Germany: The World Symbol of Historical Victory Part 1


The German nation has always caught my interest on culture and world heritage. Aside from the German language, Germany as one of the largest European economies has taken the limelight and as served as a role model for developing countries. The role of the nation in shaping world history especially during the World War 2 and ideological Cold War between democracy and communism. With all of these reasons, I have traveled to the German capital, Berlin for leisure, history and culture. 

 There are several places I went to. This is the Part 1 of the Berlin adventure. Click here for Part 2.

1.    Theodor Heuss Platz


This large city square is located in the Westend of the city of Berlin. This was laid out in the beginning of 19th century. It was formerly named as the Chancellor Place before the Nazi seized power in the German nation. From that time on, it was called the Adolf Hitler Place until the loss in the World War 2, when it was renamed Chancellor Place, then to Theodor Heuss Platz, the first mayor of Berlin after World War 2.

2.    Hammarskjöldplatz


This square is infront of the exhibition halls at the radio tower. This place has been named from Dag Hammarskjöld, who was UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Recipient, who suspiciously dies in a plane crash in Central Africa.

3.    Olympiastadion Berlin


This is the Olympic stadium, which was used in 1916 Summer Olympics and in 1936. In the second Olympic games held in the area, the Nazi which took power in Germany used the stadium as a propaganda through great sports facilities and buildings.

4.    Friedhof Heerstrage


This cemetery is situated near the Olympic Perk. During the Nazi reign in Germany, the cemetery was hidden, such as the chapel was redesigned to make it lower to attract less attention. This intention was motivated by the fact that, in the cemetery, one could find Jewish graves, which Hitler would annihilate.

5.    Georg Kolbe Hain


The Georg-Kolbe-Hain is located in the western part of Charlottenburg. It was built on a recessed from the building Forestry strips and was named from of the sculptor Georg Kolbe.

6.    Panorama Berlin


This is currently used for trade shows and fashion events. This is situated along busy connecting roads within the city of Berlin.

7.    Amtsgericht Charlottenberg


The building houses the authoritative agency, whose goal is to manage consumer insolvencies and bankruptcies for individuals.

8.    Lietzensee


This inner city lake has been used by nuns of Benedictine monastery as a fish pond in the old times. A park has been created around the park during the 1920s.

9.    Polizeidirektion Horstweg


This is the offfice of the police department of one of the districts in the German capital.

10.  Schlogstrage

This Castle Street is almost 1.7 kilometer long. It was used before as a connecting road from Berlin to a neighboring towns Potsdam and Bradenburg. Today, this street is a bustling shopping district.

11.  Schustehruspark


This is one of the garden monuments in Berlin. Garden monuments highlights important historical and cultural significance. The park was named from a mayor of Berlin.

12.  Gierkeplatz


This was named as the Church square before the fall of the Nazi reign. After World War 2, the park was named from a resistance fighter against the Nazi regime Anna Gierke.

13.  Richard Wagner Platz


This was a former marketplace before it was made as transport hub. This was named from a German composer, who was considered one of the most significant innovated of European music.

14.  Klausenerplatz


This is a square near the Charlottenburg Palace, which was formerly used as for equestrian purposes. During the World War 2, this was used as bomb shether. Today, this is a playground on the roof of the bunker.

15.  Museum für Vor Und Frühgeschichte


This is part of Berlin State Museums, which is one of the major archaeological museums and largest supra-regional collections of prehistoric finds in Europe.

16.  Schloss Charlottenberg


This is the largest palace in Berlin. It was built at the end of 17th century. It includes exotic internal decoration in baroque and rococo style. These architectural style is considered usual in the German cities.

17.  Kaiser Wilhem Gedächtnis Kirche


This place has earned the nickname, “The Hollow Tooth,” because the church spire has been destroyed in the World War 2. This church was constructed as a counter of German labour movement. This was named from German emperor, Wilhelm II.

18.  Str. des 17. Juni


This is the street dividing the Tiergarten into North and South ends. This street commemorates the uprising of the East Berlin workers in 1953, who were shot by the communist Red Army in retaliation.

19.  Groger Tiergarten


This is the third largest park in Germany and was used as a hunting area for the Elector of Bradenburg. There are statues commemorating Prussia, the historic state covering large part of Northern Germany, Poland and Lithuania.

20.  Evangelische Kaiser Friedrich Gemeinde


This church is accessible from Tiergarten. This protestant church was constructed after the World War 2, and was made possible by the donations of individuals and corporations.

21.  Siegessäule


The Berlin Victory Column has served several symbols in the German history. Before, it is used to remember the German victory over the Danes in the Danish-Prussian War, which ceded the most southern Danish province to Germany. It also marked the victory against France and Austria. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the column symbolized the reunification of the democratic West and communist East Germany. Because of the unification, a bronze sculpture was added on the top of the column.

22.  Englischer Garten



This garden is near the Berlin Victory Column, which uses the English style in the making a park. Statues of former socialist personalities are found also in the park.

Strolling around the German capital has been a challenging task for me. The parks are enormous, such that it was almost impossible for one to travel by foot around Berlin. It was somehow more challenging due to the heat of the spring season during the time I went. It could have been better if the travel had been more comfortable, but that did not stop me from learning more about Berlin. The symbolism and the significance of the city has clouded all discomfort during the travel. Certainly, that was not the last time I will be in Berlin. There are a lot of reasons to come back.

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