Discover the Semperoper Dresden, one of the most magnificent opera houses in the world and a significant landmark of the city. Located at the picturesque Theaterplatz, right next to the Dresden Zwinger, the Semperoper combines impressive architecture with a rich history. Experience the fascination of this cultural gem, which has delighted countless visitors with its first-class performances and magnificent interior since its opening in 1878. Immerse yourself in the world of opera and let the unique atmosphere of the Semperoper enchant you!

Semperoper Dresden: A Landmark of the City and a Masterpiece of Architecture

The history of opera in Dresden dates back a long time. As early as 1667, a predecessor of today’s Semperoper was established at Theaterplatz, the opera house on Taschenberg, which was converted into the Catholic court chapel in 1708. Later, from 1719 to 1849, the opera house at the Zwinger, which accommodated 2,000 spectators, served as an important opera building. In 1841, this was replaced by the Moretti opera house.

The first Semperoper, named after its architect Gottfried Semper, was built between 1838 and 1841. The royal court theater, a magnificent circular building in the style of the Italian early Renaissance, was considered one of the most beautiful theaters in Europe. Unfortunately, this structure was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1869.

After the fire disaster, a provisional building was created until the construction of the second court theater began in 1871. Once again, Gottfried Semper was responsible for the design, but the completion was carried out by his son Manfred Semper, as the father was not allowed to return to Dresden due to his involvement in the May uprisings. The new Semperoper was ceremoniously opened on February 2, 1878.

Like the Frauenkirche, the Semperoper was severely damaged during the air raids in World War II. Large parts of the opera burned down. After decades of effort, reconstruction began in 1977, following the original plans. On February 13, 1985, exactly 40 years after its destruction, the Semperoper was ceremoniously reopened.

Architectural Highlights of the Semperoper Dresden

The architecture of the Semperoper is a masterpiece of late-classical style with strong echoes of the Renaissance. The building is regarded as a prototype of modern theater buildings and impresses with its perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality. The auditorium offers outstanding acoustic conditions and a magnificent interior. Particularly noteworthy is the monumental curtain by Ferdinand Keller, which, with its impressive dimensions of 17 x 12 meters and a weight of 400 kilograms, frames the stage impressively.

Visitor Numbers

The Semperoper is a magnet for culture enthusiasts from all over the world. In 2012, over 600,000 people visited the opera house, underscoring its outstanding significance as a cultural center in Dresden. The diverse program of operas, ballet performances, and concerts attracts numerous visitors each year.

Address

Theaterplatz 2, 01067 Dresden

Opening Hours

In addition to regular opening hours for events, the opera can be visited on the following days:

Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 1 PM
Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: Closed

Tickets

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Frauenkirche at Dresden Neumarkt

Around 1020, a small wooden mission church likely stood on the site of today’s Frauenkirche. The original name “Our Lady” refers to the veneration of Saint Mary. Over the centuries, the wooden church was replaced by a Romanesque stone church, which underwent multiple renovations. It wasn’t until 1722 that the city council decided to construct a new church, as we know it today. Saxon architect George Bähr was commissioned to design the new Frauenkirche, and from 1726 to 1743 it was built according to his plans. However, Bähr did not live to see the completion of his work, as he passed away in 1738. His successor, Johann Georg Schmid, finished the construction.

Originally, a wooden dome covered in copper was planned, but due to cost concerns, it was replaced by a stone dome made entirely of Saxon sandstone, which is now one of the church’s defining features. The dome, known as the “Stone Bell” due to its lower shape, is one of the largest stone church domes north of the Alps.

The church stands approximately 91 meters tall, with the dome having a diameter of 23.5 meters. With a width of nearly 42 meters and a length of 50 meters, the Frauenkirche is one of the most remarkable examples of German Baroque architecture and offers more than 1,600 seats. Today, it is not only a vital part of Dresden’s Baroque history but also shapes the city’s world-famous skyline.

Frauenkirche | Reconstruction after Destruction at the End of World War II

At the end of World War II, the Frauenkirche was severely damaged during the devastating air raids on Dresden. The intense heat caused the dome to collapse, and the church was completely burned out. During the GDR era, the ruins stood as a war memorial. It wasn’t until after the reunification, nearly 50 years later, that the clearing of the debris began in 1993, followed by the painstaking reconstruction of the Frauenkirche in 1994. The church was finally reopened in 2005 and today stands as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.

The Dresden Frauenkirche is now not only a place of worship but also a major tourist attraction. Around 1.5 million people visit the church each year. From the viewing platform, located 67 meters high, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view over Dresden and its surroundings.

Visiting the Dome

Visitors can ascend to the 67-meter-high viewing platform and enjoy a unique view over Dresden and the surrounding area.

Visitor Numbers per Year

The landmark attracts around 1.5 million visitors each year.

Address

Neumarkt, 01067 Dresden

Opening Hours

The Frauenkirche is open to visitors from Monday to Friday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Entry to the church is free, while access to the dome costs between 5 and 8 euros.

Tickets & Tours

The Frauenkirche is not only one of Dresden’s most important sights but also one of Germany’s most significant historical buildings. Its reconstruction stands as a beacon of hope and renewal, resonating far beyond the city limits.

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According to Guinness World Records, the Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg is the largest model railway system in the world and is one of the most important sights in the city of Hamburg. Plan plenty of time, there is a lot to discover for young and old.

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg | largest model railway system in the world

The model layout built on August 16, 2001 is the largest model railway layout in the world. In 2021, the facility had a total length of 16,138 meters, which corresponds to a length of 1367.21 kilometers in its original size. In addition to the 16,138 meters of track, 289,000 figures, 1120 trains, over 250 moving cars and several ships were installed in the 30,000 liter real water basin. In addition, the largest miniature airport in the world is also located here.

The Miniatur Wunderland was opened in 2001 with three construction phases: Central Germany, Knuffingen and Austria. These have been constantly expanded since then. Today you will find Hamburg, America, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy and much more here. Further extensions are already planned. The total plant area is 1,545 square meters.

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg

The complex is divided into several rooms and sections. The nine systems are between 60 and 300 square meters in size. A special feature of the system: a daily routine is simulated. Twilight, night and day are repeated every 15 minutes.

If you visit Hamburg you should not miss the model railway system. Countless hours of work by the model builders and technicians can be admired in the detailed landscapes.

visitor numbers

Around 1.4 million visitors came to visit the facility in 2019.

Address

Kehrwieder 2/Block D, 20457 Hamburg

opening hours

365 days a year, depending on the day of the week 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (next day)

ticket prices

Admission is around 20 euros.

Tickets for the Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg

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Discover the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, one of the city’s most impressive landmarks! Since its opening in 2016, this architectural masterpiece majestically rises in HafenCity and attracts around one million visitors each year. Experience the fascinating combination of unique design and cultural diversity, from classical music to jazz and readings. Visit the stunning observation deck and enjoy breathtaking views over Hamburg. Secure your tickets now for unforgettable concerts and exciting tours!

Elbphilharmonie: Concert hall on the North Elbe

The Elbphilharmonie is located on the former Kaiserhöft, a historic part of the harbor that was created in 1865 through the straightening of the Johns’schen Ecke. Once characterized by industrial harbor use and the neo-Gothic brick architecture of the Speicherstadt, this site has developed into a symbol of modern architecture and culture in Hamburg.

The vision to build a concert hall at this iconic location was born in 2001 by architect Alexander Gérard and art historian Jana Marko. After many years of planning, the first construction plans were presented to the public in 2003, and the groundbreaking took place on April 2, 2007.

Originally planned for 2010, the construction faced multiple delays before the Elbphilharmonie finally opened in November 2016. The total cost of around 866 million euros was covered by the city of Hamburg, private investors, and generous donations.

In addition to the concert hall, the Elbphilharmonie also houses apartments, a hotel, and a public observation deck that offers visitors breathtaking views over the city and the harbor.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg: Architecture & Construction

The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg impresses with 18,000 tons of steel and a height of 110 meters above sea level. Its distinctive glass facade spans 16,000 square meters and is a hallmark of the Hamburg skyline.

Designed by the renowned Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, the glass structure of the former Kaispeicher A evokes sails, water waves, and icebergs—also known as the “glass wave.” The building extends over 26 stories, varying in width from 85 meters in the east to 22 meters in the west.

The main concert hall accommodates around 2,200 people, complemented by two smaller venues: one with 550 seats and the Kaiserstudio with about 170 seats. Visit the Elbphilharmonie and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Hamburg—the outdoor walkway at 37 meters offers a unique 360-degree perspective of the city.

number of visitors per year

Around 1 million people visit the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie every year.

Address

Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457 Hamburg

opening hours

Plaza: daily 10am – midnight (last entry 11:30pm)

Info point in the entrance area: daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m

Visitor Center (2G), Am Kaiserkai 62: daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m

events at the elbphilharmonie

In addition to classical music, the concert hall also hosts jazz concerts, solo performances by famous artists, readings and many other formats. Tickets for events are available from the ticket dealer Eventim, among others.

ticket prices

The ticket prices depend on the events. Guided tours are also possible. Use the offers of our partner. The plaza of the Elbphilharmonie can be entered free of charge. Note, however, that this area has limited capacity, so visitors may have to wait a bit. We recommend a guided tour.

tickets

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Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin | Palace for Queen Sophie Charlotte

Sophie Charlotte, an art-loving personality, had a summer residence built outside Berlin. Originally dedicated as Schloss Lietzenburg, it was later renamed “Charlottenburg Palace” in memory of the queen. Throughout history, the palace underwent multiple expansions and is now known under the name that signifies its significant cultural heritage.

History of Charlottenburg Palace

In 1695, architect Johann Arnold Nering was commissioned by Sophie Charlotte to plan and build a summer residence on the property, a gift from her husband, Elector Friedrich III. In 1699, the palace was inaugurated as Schloss Lietzenburg.

Known for her artistic taste, Queen Sophie Charlotte invited poets, philosophers, musicians, and artists to her estate, which became known as “Sophie Charlotte’s Musenhof.” After the queen’s untimely death at the age of 36, the palace and its surroundings were renamed Charlottenburg in her memory by her husband.

Following the death of Friedrich I, the palace saw limited use by Friedrich Wilhelm until King Friedrich II resumed its use as a residence. In 1744, he began transforming Potsdam’s city palace into his permanent residence. Additionally, he commissioned the construction of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam as a summer residence. Charlottenburg then served primarily for family celebrations.

In later years, it was the residence of King Friedrich Wilhelm III and Luise. The last occupant was Emperor Friedrich III in 1888. Afterward, the palace ceased to be used as a residence.

Architecture of Charlottenburg Palace

Constructed between 1695 and 1791 in several stages, Schloss Charlottenburg is an impressive ensemble in the styles of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassicism. The architects behind this masterpiece were Johann Arnold Nering, Eosander von Göthe, Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, and Carl Gotthard Langhans.

Originally designed as a small garden and pleasure palace, it was transformed into a representative seat after the Elector’s coronation in 1701, marking him as the first King of Prussia. This redesign was executed by architect Eosander von Göthe.

The present recognizable form of the palace, however, was achieved later. Friedrich Wilhelm II commissioned Carl Gotthard Langhans to add a palace theater at the end of the western wing and a Small Orangery, giving the palace its current appearance.

The impressive architectural ensemble includes not only the palace but also the 55-hectare Schlossgarten Charlottenburg, featuring the Belvedere, the Mausoleum, and the Neuer Pavillon. Designed in French Baroque style by Siméon Godeau in 1697, the palace garden completes the majestic overall picture.

Annual Visitor Numbers

The palace attracts nearly 600,000 visitors each year.

Address

Spandauer Damm 10, 10585 Berlin

Opening Hours

From November to March, the palace is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. From April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, you can visit from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Ticket Prices

Adults: €12, Concessions: €8

Tickets

Experience a unique visit to Charlottenburg Palace and immerse yourself in an exquisite ambiance that provides the perfect setting for the selected program of the Berliner Residenz Orchester and vocal soloists. Enjoy masterpieces from the Baroque and Classical periods and be enchanted by the outstanding musical performance in this historic palace. A visit that combines cultural enjoyment and historical flair.

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Potsdamer Platz is now the newly created heart of Berlin. Today, it serves as a focal point with restaurants, cinemas, theaters, and is a popular shopping destination through its shopping centers. Every visit to Berlin should include Potsdamer Platz on the agenda, as it stands among the best attractions in Berlin.

Potsdamer Platz | Hub of Berlin

Just a few years ago, where Potsdamer Platz now stands was a barren area. The Berlin Wall once divided the city here. Today, it features the most modern skyscrapers and architecture. Whether it’s the DaimlerChrysler Quartier, the Sony Center, or the Beisheim Center, all contribute to the new image of Potsdamer Platz. After reunification, the opportunity was successfully seized to rebuild a complete and modern city quarter in the center of a metropolis. And the square has much more to offer. Here is a selection of some of the best attractions you shouldn’t miss:

Filmhaus in the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz

If you’re a cinephile and love movies, the Filmhaus in the Sony Center is the place to be. The Filmhaus in the Sony Center combines historical and forward-looking aspects related to the film. It offers exciting exhibitions on the history of film and television, as well as highlights of film history at the Arsenal cinema, showcasing both classic and current films.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Berlin

Especially for the little ones but also for adults, the world of Lego is always an adventure. Discover this world at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Berlin, located directly in the Sony Center. It features a fantastic 4-D cinema and entertaining and exciting rides. Moreover, there’s the ultimate indoor playground with over 5 million Lego bricks to explore or discover many of Berlin’s famous landmarks built from Lego.

Panoramapunkt in the Kollhof-Tower at Potsdamer Platz

One of the best views of the city of Berlin can be enjoyed from the Kollhoff-Tower. Located at the northern tip of the Potsdamer Platz quarter, it is named after its Berlin architect, Hans Kollhoff. The building consists of 25 floors and has numerous restaurants and shops. At the very top, you’ll find the Panoramapunkt on the 24th and 25th floors, featuring a combination of an open-view platform, exhibition, sun deck, and the Panorama Café. And the ascent is particularly fast: the Kollhof-Tower boasts the fastest elevator in Europe, transporting passengers at a speed of 8.65 meters per second.

Visit the Panoramapunkt and experience the best view of Berlin and the TV Tower from a height of 100 meters. Ride Europe’s fastest elevator to the 24th floor. Enjoy the fantastic view from the Kollhoff Tower on Potsdamer Platz and see many of Berlin’s attractions from above.

Museum für Film und Fernsehen – Deutsche Kinemathek

At the Museum für Film und Fernsehen Berlin, you can experience the history of film. From its beginnings to the present, and the myth surrounding Diva Marlene Dietrich, you’ll find everything related to the subject of film. The museum, founded in 1963, focuses particularly on German cinema. Here, you can find legacies of German actors and filmmakers like Heinz Rühmann and, especially, Marlene Dietrich. The museum features designs for Fritz Lang’s famous silent film “Metropolis” from 1927, a multimedia time tunnel where visitors can travel through East and West German television history, and changing special exhibitions from the history of film and television.

Boulevard der Stars at Potsdamer Platz

It’s a bit like Los Angeles—the famous Walk of Fame. On the Boulevard der Stars, artists from the German-speaking world in film and television are honored. The Boulevard der Stars stretches from Potsdamer Platz to the middle of the double-lane Potsdamer Straße and is a growing monument that expands in both directions. Every year, seven to ten new names are added to the Boulevard near Potsdamer Platz. So, you can always come back and observe changes.

Kulturforum

On the southern side of Potsdamer Platz, you’ll find the Kulturforum with the Philharmonie, the State Library, the Gemäldegalerie, the Kunstgewerbemuseum, the Musikinstrumentenmuseum, and the Neue Nationalgalerie. So, art and culture enthusiasts will find plenty to explore at Potsdamer Platz.

Berlin Wall

As mentioned, the Berlin Wall once crossed the square. Today, a recessed metal strip commemorates the former course of the Wall at Potsdamer Platz.

Leipziger Platz

On the octagonal Leipziger Platz, you’ll find the Mall of Berlin shopping center, the Dalí Museum, and the German Spy Museum. Leipziger Platz is directly adjacent

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Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin | one of the most beautiful places in Berlin and Europe

Up to the current name Gendarmenmarkt, the square had several names in the course of history – Lindenmarkt, Friedrichstädtischer Markt and Neuer Markt. Today it combines not only the architectural beauty but also several sights. It is one of the most beautiful places in Berlin – if it isn’t, and every year it is the scene of one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Berlin.

History & origins

According to the plans of Johann Arnold Nering, the Gendarmenmarkt was built as part of Friedrichstadt at the end of the 17th century. It was the time of French immigrants, mainly French Protestants (Huguenots), settling in the neighborhood. The starting point was an edict from the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg. With the Edict of Potsdam in 1685 he had assured them the protection of their religious freedom and full civil rights.

King Friedrich I had two churches built on the square. On the one hand in the north the French Friedrichstadtkirche for the French Reformed congregation and in the south the German church for the Lutheran congregation. The churches built in 1701 were still without the towers added later. Only Frederick the Great (Frederick II) had identical domed towers built on both churches according to plans by Carl von Gontard in order to make the square even more attractive and, above all, more representative. This gave the square its current shape. The square is surrounded by the residences of high officials of the king, state authorities and important hotels, including the Hotel de Brandebourg.

Sights & highlights at the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

On the Gendarmenmarkt you will find the French Friedrichstadtkirche with the French Cathedral, the German Church with the German Cathedral and the Konzerthaus.

French Friedrichstadtkirche and French Cathedral

At the beginning of the 18th century (around 1705) the French Friedrichstadtkirche was built by the Berlin Huguenot community. The relatively simple church was later supplemented by an impressive tower. The tower of the French Cathedral was built in the years 1780–1785 by Carl von Gontard in the Baroque style next to the church. It is 70 meters high and is to the right of the concert hall as seen from the Gendarmenmarkt. The name Dom comes from the building alone. It is not a cathedral in the classical sense.

German Church / German Cathedral

Dies gilt auch für die Deutsche Kirche und den Deutschen Dom. Dieser ist ebenfalls 70 Meter hoch und steht – wenn Sie Ihren Blick frontal auf den Gendarmenmarkt richten – links vom Konzerthaus.

Concert hall on Gendarmenmarkt

The concert hall on Gendarmenmarkt was built according to plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in the years 1817 to 1821. It stands on the foundation walls of the burned down National Theater and today forms the center of the three-part ensemble on Gendarmenmarkt. Before that, three event venues were already on the square – the French Comedy House (1776 to 1800), the National Theater (1802 to 1817, destroyed by fire) and the Schauspielhaus (1821 to 1945, destroyed in the Second World War). In 1979 the reconstruction took place under the name Konzerthaus.

Christmas market at the Gendarmenmarkt

Every year a Christmas market takes place at the Gendarmenmarkt. It is considered one of the most beautiful in Berlin.

Tours to the Gendarmenmarkt

Experience Berlin on a relaxed city walk and visit the Gendarmenmarkt and other Berlin sights on a guided tour. Or use one of the hop-on / hop-off sightseeing buses to make a stop at Gendarmenmarkt.

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Museum Island Berlin – one of the most important museum complexes in Europe

The Museum Island consists of five museums – the Old museum, the New Museum, the Old National Gallery, the Bode-Museum, the Pergamon Museum. It is one of the most important museum complexes in Europe. The museums house unique collections on the art and cultural history of Europe and the Mediterranean region, mainly archaeological collections and 19th century art. Friedrich Wilhelm IV had the idea for the Museum Island. Today an equestrian statue on the steps of the Alte Nationalgalerie commemorates him.

The Museum Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

In addition to the five museums, the Kolonnadenhof and James-Simon-Galerie (entrance building and visitor center) should also be mentioned. The sculptures in the Colonnade Courtyard are part of the National Gallery’s collection and give visitors a first foretaste of other exhibits.

Old museum

The Altes Museum was built between 1823 and 1830 and is the first exhibition building on Museum Island Berlin. It stands directly opposite the City Palace and next to the Berlin Cathedral. The builder was Karl Friedrich Schinkel. It was Prussia’s first public museum.

The magnificent building of the Altes Museum is modeled on the Pantheon in Rome. It houses a collection of antiquities with sculptures, ceramics, weapons, jewelry and equipment from Greek art and cultural history.

New museum

The original Royal Prussian Museum was built between 1843 and 1855. Today it bears the title Neues Museum and was built by Friedrich August Stüler. However, it was badly destroyed in the Second World War and then restored with extensive renovation and restoration work until 2009. Today the Neues Museum houses exhibits from prehistory and early history. In particular, the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection is one of the visitor magnets. The most visited bust of Nefertiti can also be found here.

Old National Gallery

The Old National Gallery is the ancestral home of the collection of the Nationalgalerie, which is exhibited in several locations. Here visitors will find paintings and sculptures in particular, which depict the great movements in art from the time of Goethe to realism. Among other things, works by French impressionists (Manet, Monet, Renoir) can be seen here. You can also find romantic paintings by Caspar David Friedrich and Karl Friedrich Schinkel in the Old National Gallery.

Bode Museum

The Bode Museum contains the Museum of Byzantine Art, i.e. Byzantine works of art from the 3rd to the 15th century, a sculpture collection of Italian and German sculptures and sculptures from the early Middle Ages to the 18th century can also be found there and many other treasures. The neo-baroque museum resembles a moated castle and stands on the tip of the Museum Island Berlin. It was built by Ernst von Ihne.

Pergamon Museum

The Pergamon Museum is a real magnet for visitors to Museum Island. It was designed by Alfred Messel and built between 1907-30 under the direction of Ludwig Hoffmann. It houses among other things archaeological finds as well as Greek and Roman sculptures from the antique collection, the Middle East Museum with 6000 years of history, art and culture of Middle East and the Museum of Islamic Art with art of the Islamic peoples from the 8th to the 19th century.

Visitor numbers

The Museum Island Berlin had a share in the total result of 3.095 million visits in 2019 (2018: 2.487 million, 2017: 2.323 million).

Opening times | Museum Island Berlin

All museums on Museum Island are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.

Except for the Pergamon Museum and the Neues Museum, all museums are closed on Mondays.

Address | Museum Island Berlin

Bodestraße 1-3
10178 Berlin

Tickets & discounts for Museum Island Berlin

With the Berlin WelcomeCard Museum Island, you get free entry to all museums and collections on Berlin’s Museum Island as well as free 72-hour public transport in Berlin and many other discounts.

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Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church | History and architecture

It was Kaiser Wilhelm II who initiated the construction of the church in the years 1891–1895. This took place as a religious memorial in honor of his grandfather, Kaiser Wilhelm I. The Protestant Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was built by Franz Schwechten in the neo-Romanesque style and at that time had five towers. At 113 meters, the church tower at that time was the highest in the city. The church also had a splendid interior with many mosaics and murals. The church was consecrated on September 1st, 1895.

Bells of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

The Memorial Church had five bells of different sizes and weights. The bells were made of bronze and were made from guns captured in the Franco-Prussian War. In the Second World War, however, they were melted down again for war purposes. Today the hexagonal bell tower has a new bell ring consisting of six bronze bells.

Tower clock

The church clock is particularly beautiful. It was brought up to date with the latest technology after the war. The illuminated clock hands are a special feature.

Destruction and reconstruction with a 71 meter high tower ruin

During the Second World War, the Memorial Church, like other structures, was badly damaged. For a long time there was a dispute about the reconstruction and in what form. It was agreed to preserve the 71 meter high tower ruin as a memorial against the war and to demolish one and the nave. Instead, a new four-part building ensemble was built. This consists of a nave, the church tower, the chapel and the foyer. The German architect Egon Eiermann implemented this in the modern style from 1959 to 1963.

The grid walls, which consist of more than 20,000 unitary glass windows that can be illuminated with LEDs, are characteristic of the new building.

The church is now used for services and events, and there is also a small museum inside the old part of the church.

Visitor numbers

The Church is one of the most visited places in Berlin with 1.3 million visitors every year.

Opening hours

Church daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Memorial hall: daily from 12 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Address

Budapester Straße 50

10789 Berlin

Tours to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

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The Neuschwanstein Castle, created by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in Schwangau in the Allgäu, is the fairytale castle par excellence. It served as a template for the famous Disneyland Castle. Here you can get information, tickets and tours to the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein.

Neuschwanstein Castle | private retreat for King Ludwig II.

The idea for Neuschwanstein Castle came from King Ludwig II himself, who wanted the fairytale castle to be built as his private retreat. It was therefore never used as a representative building or to demonstrate power, but was intended to represent a monument to the culture and royalty of the Middle Ages. At the request of King Ludwig II, the palace was to become a medieval castle.

History and architecture

For this purpose, the first plans and preparations for the construction were already carried out in the years 1867/1868. However, the foundation stone was not laid until September 1869. The castle was built on a jagged rock 200 meters above the valley in a picturesque mountain setting.

The implementation was carried out by Eduard Riedel and Georg Dollmann in the style of the Romanesque of the 13th century. The wall paintings are based in part on the themes of Wagner’s musical dramas such as “Tannhäuser” and “Lohengrin”.

The castle consists of several individual structures, which were erected over a length of around 150 meters on the top of a rock ridge known as early youth. The overall picture of the elongated building is formed by the numerous towers, decorative turrets, gables, balconies, battlements and sculptures.

However, King Ludwig II died on June 13, 1886 before the construction work was completed. As a result, the castle was never actually completed. The castle was opened to visitors after his death. Today Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Germany’s landmarks and one of the best sights in the world.

Interiors

The most important interiors of the palace include the singers’ hall and the throne room.

The singers’ hall is designed on the model of the ballroom in the Wartburg near Eisenach and includes, among other things. decorated with wall paintings for the Parzival saga.

In addition to Byzantine domed buildings, the sacred throne room was also modeled on the All Saints Court Church of the Munich Residence and symbolized Ludwig II’s idea of ​​a kingdom by the grace of God. Neuschwanstein is not a copy of a medieval castle complex, but a characteristic new creation of historicism.

Address

Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau

Opening hours

Winter time: October 16, 2020 to December 30, 2020 / January 2, 2021 to March 26, 2021, Monday to Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Summer time: 27.03.2021 to 15.10.2021, Monday to Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Entry

You can find more information at www.neuschwanstein.de

Tickets & guided tours

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In the Reichstag in Berlin you can watch the German Bundestag at work. The Reichstag building is located on the Platz der Republik in Berlin and has been the seat of the German Bundestag since 1999. The dome and roof terrace of the Reichstag building can be viewed free of charge. The Reichstag, built between 1884 and 1894, is undoubtedly one of the most important and best sights in Germany. Here you can find information about the Reichstag in Berlin.

Reichstag Berlin: history & facts of the Reichstag building

The Reichstag building has been the seat of the German Bundestag since 1999. However, important turning points and events in German history are associated with the building. The SPD politician Philipp Scheidemann proclaimed the republic on November 9, 1918 from the balcony at the west portal, marking the end of the empire. One of the dark chapters is without a doubt the “Reichstag fire”, which completely destroyed the plenary hall and the dome. This occurred on the evening of February 27, 1933 and only used one – Hitler and the Nazis – who were able to consolidate their power with the help of the Reichstag Fire Ordinance. And the red flag of the Soviet Union as a symbol of the victory over the “Third Reich” on April 30, 1945, which was waved on the building by two Red Army soldiers, is a picture in the history of the Reichstag.

Reichstag Berlin: architecture of the Reichstag building

The Reichstag Berlin was built from 1884 to 1894 according to plans by Paul Wallot. Before that, however, a suitable plot of land and later the choice of the architect and the design were discussed for a long time. In the first competition, in which over a hundred architects took part, in 1872, Ludwig Bohnstedt from Gotha still prevailed. However, due to the long search for land, the decision was revised again and a new competition was announced in 1882. Paul Wallot from Frankfurt am Main prevailed here. The foundation stone was laid on June 9, 1884.

Wallot’s design combined elements from the Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism. The outer form mainly contained forms of the Italian High Renaissance (Neo-Renaissance). Wallot combined this with some elements of the German Renaissance, with something neo-baroque and a steel and glass construction of the dome that was very modern at the time. Incidentally, there were problems with the implementation of the dome due to plan changes. In the end, their height had to be reduced from 85 to almost 75 meters. In addition, it was given a relatively light, technically sophisticated construction made of steel and glass. By combining the different elements, the building appeared representative and monumental.

After the war, the badly damaged Reichstag could no longer be used. The dome had to be blown up in 1957 for static reasons. A first renovation began in 1957 by Paul Baumgarten. The plenary hall was glazed through Baumgarten. The historical features of the building were pushed back.

Second phase of renovation from 1994 – glass dome by Sir Norman Foster

A second phase of renovation began in 1994. The British architect Sir Norman Foster created his designs, which included a glass dome as the most striking innovation.

The topped, walkable dome measures 38 meters in diameter and is 23.5 meters high. The 800-tonne structure made of steel and glass has developed into a much-visited attraction and a symbol of Berlin. The 3000 m² glass used alone has a mass of around 240 tons.

The renovation was completed on April 19, 1999 and the symbolic handover of the keys to the President of the German Bundestag and a first plenary session took place.

Inscription

The gable inscription “Dem Deutschen Volke”, which is still preserved today, was not added until 1916 – 20 years after completion – due to a lively journalistic debate and the rejection by the emperor at the time.

Wrapped Reichstag by Christo and Jeanne-Claude

The wrapping of the Reichstag has also gone down in history. The artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude had already propagated the “Wrapped Reichstag” project in 1971. But it wasn’t until the summer of 1995 that the Reichstag was completely covered for two weeks by a silver-colored tarpaulin measuring around 100,000 square meters. This action made the Reichstag world famous.

Address

Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin

Opening hours

daily from 8 a.m. to midnight; last entry at 10 p.m.

Entry

free

Notes: Visiting the dome and roof terrace is only possible with prior registration. Registrations can be made at www.bundestag.de. The Bundestag website provides information about the closures of the dome. Or use a guided tour to learn many interesting facts from an experienced guide.

Tours & guided tours to the Reichstag Berlin

Der Beitrag Reichstag erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

The New Palace located on the west side of Park Sanssouci is one of the great sights of Sanssouci Park. In this article we would like to introduce you to the baroque palace, which is also known as the “Fanfaronade”.

New Palace | Last creation of Frederick the Great

The New Palace was built between 1763 and 1769 on the occasion of the Prussian Seven Years’ War. Builders included Gottfried Büring, Heinrich-Ludwig Manger and Carl von Gontard. The palace is the end of the park to the west. The drum dome with the gilded figures of the Three Graces, who wear the Prussian crown on a cushion, can already be seen from a distance. The building was intended to represent the superiority and status of Prussia in Europe and is therefore also known as the “Fan Forum”. That means something like boasting, showing off, trumpeting around.

Incidentally, the New Palace is the largest baroque palace in Germany. Commissioned by King Friedrich in the first half of the 1750s, construction plans were drawn up by Büring and Manger on the basis of sketches by King Friedrich. Originally the palace was to be built on the southern axis of Sanssouci Palace on the Havel. The Seven Years War changed the plans. On the one hand, the start of construction was delayed and, on the other hand, the palace was relocated to the western end of the park’s main avenue.

Architecture and extensions of the palace

The New Palace is a baroque palace and consists of a three-winged corps de logis (residential wing) around a courtyard with low side wings. The three-wing system has a front length of 220 meters. The facade is characterized by a reddish brick pattern and fluted Corinthian pilasters made of sandstone in colossal order. The red brick was only painted on for cost reasons. The inauguration of the castle took place on July 19, 1768.

The middle section of the two-and-a-half-storey building – with a mezzanine – is crowned by a huge, functionless 55 meter high main dome. On the dome are the three graces group. The dome is only used for architectural decoration and has no other purpose. The two single-storey pavilion-like side wings have an L-shaped floor plan. They also each have a dome.

Over 400 large figures and sculptures are placed on the balustrades and on the pilaster pedestals, depicting scenes and figures (gods and demigods) from ancient mythology. Several sculptors and dozens of stonemasons worked on it for six years.

But it was later supplemented by numerous extensions. The palace complex today includes communs, farm buildings, side wings, coach houses, colonnades and a triumphal gate.

The two communs are opposite the New Palace there are two communs. These farm buildings were connected by an underground corridor and were used to accommodate the servants, kitchens, entourage of guests and the court administration. They are also connected by a semicircular colonnade. They form the splendid conclusion of the park. The completion is therefore dated to the year 1769.

The New Palace has a large number of rooms. These are:

• Vestibule and grotto or shell hall
• Marble gallery
• Royal apartment with bedroom, writing cabinet, library
• Concert room
• Princely quarters
• Red damask chamber, bar room, oval cabinet
• Apartment of the Prince of Prussia Marble
• Hall and Upper Gallery
• Castle theater

Address

Am Neuen Palais, 14469 Potsdam

Opening hours

Summer season (valid: 04/01/2020 – 10/31/2020)

Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing time.

Tickets

Tickets are only available on site at the cash desk

Further information can be found at https://www.spsg.de/schloesser-gaerten/objekt/neues-palais/

Potsdam & Park Sanssouci Tours, guided tours and tickets

Further information on the New Palace is available at potsdam-sanssouci.com, among others.

Der Beitrag New palace erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

The seasonal amusement park “Babelsberg Film Park” is located in the Babelsberg district of Potsdam. The park is one of the sights of the city of Potsdam. Here you will find information about the park, the attractions, the shows and the events. You can also book day tickets for the film park and events here.

Babelsberg Film Park | Hollywood in Germany

The Filmpark is a touch of Hollywood in Germany. The Babelsberg studio in Potsdam-Babelsberg is the oldest large-scale film studio in the world. It was founded in 1912. And with an area of ​​around 460,000 square meters, it is the largest film studio in Europe.

Many famous films were produced in Babelsberg. These include Metropolis, Der Blaue Engel, Sonnenallee, Das Bourne Ultimatum, Operation Walküre, Eddie the Eagle, Der Ghostwriter, Cloud Atlas, Monuments Men, Berlin Station and Babylon Berlin as well as the Oscar-winning films Die Fälscher, Der Vorleser, Inglourious Basterds and Grand Budapest hotel.

Today the Babelsberg studio is part of the so-called media city of Babelsberg. Around 2,000 people from the film and media industry work there. Many institutions are also based in Babelsberg:

• the film university Babelsberg “Konrad Wolf”,
• the broadcasting center of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb),
• the ZDF state capital studio Brandenburg,
• the seat of the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg,
• the German Broadcasting Museum,
• the German Broadcasting Archive

and many other film production companies, agencies and through smaller businesses.

Theme park with many attractions

he theme park has over 20 film-specific attractions, four sensational shows, a 4D and XD cinema, original backdrops and numerous original film sets as well as exhibition areas on film and the craft of film. The following events are currently being offered in the park. The event program can change.

Events in the Babelsberg Film Park

• Studio tour – tour of the media city
• Treasure trove of film, props and characters from famous films (Caligari exhibition)
• Sandman exhibition and glass studio
• Film sets of several films (mostly DEFA productions)
• Little Muck’s Gardens: Replica of the sets of the DEFA fairy tale film The Story of Little Muck (1953) based on original plans
• Games world in “Münchhausen’s Schlemmergarten” with bumper cars, adventure simulator and bumper boats
• Jungle adventure playground for little guests
• Metropolis – 4D action cinema and others with three-dimensional short films
• Burggarten
• Game world
• The small farm “- training of film animals with film animal show
• TV show, interactive live show about the creation of a TV magazine Panama – boat trip through the world of Janosch
• Bartertown – stunt show in an event arena modeled on a volcanic crater
• Original witch house from the ARD fairy tale film Hansel and Gretel (2012)
• Caligari-Halle with the lucky dragon Fuchur from The Neverending Story 3 – Salvation from Fantasies (1994) and the original rotary model from the remake of Andreas Dresen’s Timm Thaler or the sold laugh (2017)
• “Prinz Eisenherz” adventure restaurant, original set from the German-American film Prinz Eisenherz (1997)
• “Jim Knopf” Adventure Playground

Boredom is impossible. There are also restaurants and snack bars as well as shops that invite you to shop.

Event search, tickets and tours

You need tickets to visit the Babelsberg Film Park. You can conveniently order day tickets in advance via our partner Ticketmaster. If you would like to attend a special event, please order your ticket through our partner Eventim . If you want to book a guided tour to the park, we recommend our partner GetYour Guide. A lot of positive feedback speaks for itself.

• Day ticket for the Babelsberg Film Park
• Events in the film park

Address and contact details

Großbeerenstraße 200, 14482 Potsdam
Hotline: info@filmpark.de

Visit the park’s official website for more information.

Der Beitrag Babelsberg Film Park erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

In the famous Berlin wax museum Madame Tussauds Berlin, one of the best Berlin sights, you can be very close to international stars, sports legends, political greats and historical personalities. Here you can get information and tickets for the Berlin attraction at the Unter den Linden location.

Madame Tussauds Berlin | Wax museum in Berlin

Madame Tussauds’ first roots go back to 1770 when, under the guidance of her mentor and uncle, Dr. Philippe Curtius, made his first wax portraits in Paris. During the French Revolution, Marie Tussaud had to make death masks for prominent guillotine victims for the Revolution Museum. When her uncle died, she inherited his wax figure collection. With this she moved to London, where she toured with her traveling exhibition for several years. It was not until 1835 that she installed a permanent exhibition in London. It has been on Marylebone Road since 1884. Since then there have been seven sister attractions – one of them in Berlin. This was opened on July 5, 2008 at the historic location Unter den Linden.

Locations

• • London
  • Amsterdam
  • Hollywood
  • Hongkong
  • New York City
  • Wien

• Washington D.C.
• Shanghai, China

Highlights Madame Tussauds Berlin

Madame Tussauds’ location in Berlin has many attractions to offer. In addition, there are always new elements, so that a multiple visit is worthwhile. In addition to the many international stars, sports legends, political greats and historical personalities, there are some subject areas that are included. Amongst other things:

• Culture, politics, television
• History area
• House of #berlincolours!
• Crime scene set
• Interactive music area
• Interactive soccer area
• Interactive film area
• Star Wars subject area
• Divas in film history
• Celebrity party

Address

Opening hours

• daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last admission: 6 p.m.)
• Closed December 24th

Entrance fees

• • Adults 21 euros,
  • Children 16 euros
  • Children under 3 years of age have free entry
  • Free entry to the wax museum and numerous other top attractions. Book the Berlin City Pass here

Tickets for Madame Tussauds Berlin (skip the line)

Get the cheapest ticket for the whole family (2 adults and 2 children). It includes priority entry through the VIP entrance.

Der Beitrag Madame Tussauds erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

One of the most beautiful churches in Berlin – the Berlin Cathedral – is located on the Lustgarten on Museum Island and rises with its dome that can be seen from afar in the Mitte district of Berlin. It is one of the best Berlin sights. The Protestant church is one of the most important dynastic tombs and houses the Hohenzollern crypt. Here you will find all the important information about the Berlin Cathedral.

Berlin Cathedral

Only 270 steps separate the visitors from a wonderful view over Berlin’s center with the television tower, Spree and Nikolaiviertel. The panoramic view (with a 360 degree view of the dome) from the dome of the Berlin Cathedral is therefore very popular with visitors. The impressive dome – with a proud 33 meters in diameter – is just one of the highlights of the cathedral. Because it also has a lot more to offer. The Baptism and Wedding Church, the Imperial Staircase, the Hohenzollern Crypt, the Cathedral Museum to name just a few. The church interior – lavishly decorated and artfully adorned and with its wonderful decorations, the Berlin Cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in the city.

If you have the chance, you should definitely attend a concert or church service in the cathedral. Then the historic Sauer organ sounds with its rich sound. It is the largest originally preserved organ from the late Romantic period. And another tip: right next to the magnificent cathedral is the World Heritage Site Museum Island, which is home to many famous museums. It is best to combine the visit.

Berlin Cathedral – History and Facts

In a long history, the cathedral has been renewed and rebuilt several times. The foundation stone was laid in middle age in 1465 with the construction of an upper parish and cathedral church on the Spree island. It was Frederick the Great who had the builder Johann Boumann build a baroque church with a drum dome in 1747. Karl Friedrich Schinkel renovated it 70 years later, inside and out, in a classical style.

Kaiser Wilhelm II also had renovations carried out. But this did not go far enough for him. He decided that the previous appearance of the cathedral was no longer grand enough and had it rebuilt in 1894, the design of the cathedral builder Julius Carl Raschdorff. This took place until 1905.

The Berlin Cathedral was badly damaged by the Second World War. The reconstruction of the church in the GDR only began 30 years later. The outdoor work lasted until 1983. However, the interior work was not completed until 2002.

Architecture of the Berlin Cathedral

The cathedral is built in the neo-renaissance and neo-baroque styles. In the center of the Berlin Cathedral is the dome, which is flanked by four corner towers and rises a good 114 meters above street level. A lantern with a gold cross crowns this monumental dome. Julius Carl Raschdorff built the cathedral in the style of the Italian High Renaissance with baroque influences. The cathedral should be the answer to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The cathedral – which stands on an area of ​​7200 m² – was divided into three parts as a central building from the beginning and originally consisted of the sermon church, the baptismal church and the memorial church. The monument church no longer exists today. The cathedral is now a listed building and is the largest Protestant church in Germany in terms of area.

Inside, the cathedral is also magnificent. It includes extensive New Testament and Church Reformation elements, ornamental mosaics, gold and statues. The most important works of art include the marble altar by Stüler and the marble font by Christian Daniel Rauch. In addition, the Baptistery and Wedding Church houses a huge painting of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit by Carl Begas.

Hohenzollern Crypt

With over 90 burials from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the Hohenzollern Crypt is one of the most important dynastic burial sites in Germany. Almost 100 coffins are in the crypt. Including lavishly designed sarcophagi by Andreas Schlueter for Friedrich I and Queen Sophie Charlotte.

Tickets and tours for the Berlin Cathedral

A visit to the cathedral is included with the Berlin Pass.

opening hours

Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., last entry 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., last entry 6 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., from 4 p.m. only dome round, last admission 7 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., last entry: 7 p.m.
No visits during church services or events

Address

Der Beitrag Berlin Cathedral erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

With around 8,000 ship calls per year, almost 300 berths on a total of 43 kilometers long quay walls, the Port of Hamburg is the largest seaport in Germany. It is located on the Lower Elbe and about 100 kilometers from the mouth of the Elbe into the North Sea near Cuxhaven. It is one of the most important sights in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. After the port of Rotterdam and the port of Antwerp, the port is the third largest in Europe.

History of the Port of Hamburg

Hamburg has had a wooden pier about 120 meters long since the 9th century. However, a charter dated May 7, 1189 from the German Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, which guaranteed the Hamburgers important privileges such as duty-free travel on the Lower Elbe to the North Sea, was considered the birth of the Port of Hamburg for a long time. The letter is said to have been a forgery, but it did not miss its purpose. The port has grown steadily over the course of history. In 1321 Hamburg joined the Hanseatic League, which gave the Port of Hamburg an economic boom. The port continued to grow with history. Trade with the American continent expanded at the end of the 18th century, the first steamships arrived and Hamburg became one of the most important emigration ports from the middle of the 19th century. Hamburg becomes the gateway to the world. The port of Hamburg continues to expand, receives huge warehouse complexes – the Hamburg warehouse district – and becomes one of the largest ports in the world.

Port of Hamburg today | “Gate to the World”

It is not without reason that the Port of Hamburg is one of the largest European ports and one of the most flexible and efficient universal ports in the world: around 8,000 ship calls per year, the port has around 300 berths for seagoing vessels on a total of 43 kilometers of quay walls. The port is approached by more than 2,300 freight trains per week. It also has four modern container terminals and three cruise terminals.

Around 8,700 seagoing ships reach the port every year. This also includes container ships with a length of up to 400 meters and a capacity of 19,000 standard containers. Hardly imaginable.

A big plus compared to other ports is the location. Due to its location deep inland, it is only 200 to 450 kilometers away from the Central and Eastern European metropolitan areas. This is a decisive advantage for the transport of the goods.

But cruise tourism also has its home in Hamburg. With around 600,000 passengers and 160 ship arrivals, Hamburg is an important travel destination and starting point for many cruise lines.

Harbor tours and other highlights

Whether it’s the big harbor tour or a small tour on one of the many barge offers. You have to experience Hamburg from the water. The port of Hamburg is the city’s main attraction and a port tour is a must on a visit to Hamburg. We have put together the best tours for you.

Der Beitrag Port of Hamburg erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

Potsdam, the state capital of Brandenburg, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city is characterized by the many parks, gardens and castles. Many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Potsdam is particularly known for the Sanssouci Palace and the Sanssouci Park. If you are visiting Berlin you can combine your visit with an excursion to Potsdam, because both cities are directly adjacent to each other.

Sanssouci Park in Potsdam

The Sanssouci Park is one of the most beautiful park landscapes in Germany. On approximately 290 hectares in the park you will find a large number of castles of different styles. It is not surprising that this particular creation of architectural and gardening art attracts many thousands of visitors every year. The park, which was laid out by Frederick the Great from 1744, was expanded and redesigned several times. Countless horticulturalists were involved. Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorf, Heinrich Christian Eckstein and Peter Joseph Lenné, among others, shaped the park.

The core areas of the park include:

• the regular Frederician pleasure garden with the vineyard terraces (1744 to 1757)
• west of the obelisk the sentimental, scenic deer garden (1745-1763) – then west to the New Palais

Sights in Sanssouci Park

In addition to the Sanssouci Palace, there are many other attractions and sights in the park. These include the New Palais, the orangery, the Chinese tea house, Charlottenhof Palace, the Friedenskirche and of course the park itself.

Sanssouci Palace

The Sanssouci Palace is the highlight of every trip to Potsdam. Let yourself be enchanted by the summer palace of Frederick II and the vineyard terraces.

New palace in Sanssouci Park

The New Palais, the Fanfaronade, was built in 1763-1769 to mark the end of the Seven Years’ War in Prussia. Builders for Frederick the Great included Büring, Manger and Gontard. The beautiful Rococo building stands in the west and forms the end of the park here. It was Frederick’s last creation.

Orangery in Sanssouci Park

The orangery was built by Persius from 1851 to 1860 on behalf of Friedrich Wilhelm IV. The Italian Renaissance is reflected in the 300 m long building.

Chinese tea house

Frederick the Great had the small Chinese pavilion built near his summer palace Sanssouci. Life-size, gold-plated sandstone figures of Chinese people playing and dining are grouped around the Chinese tea house.

Charlottenhof Palace

The Charlottenhof Palace, modeled on Italian country villas, is a classicist summer palace of Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm IV and his wife Elisabeth. It is closely related to landscaping. It was originally built between 1756 and 1758 by Johann Gottfried Büring. Later, from 1826 to 1826, it was redesigned into a palace by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Ludwig Persius.

Church of Peace

The Church of Peace is located in the Marlygarten right by the green grid. It was built at the request and with the close participation of the artistically gifted Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV according to plans by the court architect Ludwig Persius. The Church of Peace is an expression of the deep religiosity of Friedrich Wilhelm IV.

Further information about the Sanssouci Park is available on our partner site Potsdam Sanssouci.

Address

Zur Historischen Mühle 1, 14469 Potsdam

Opening hours

All year round, daily 8 a.m. until dark
Valid 01.01. – 31.12.

Tickets & tours to Sanssouci Park

For more information on tickets for Sanssouci Park, visit our partner site.

Der Beitrag Sanssouci Park erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

The Potsdam City Palace, rebuilt in 2014, is one of the most important sights of Potsdam again today. The palace stands on the Alter Markt in Potsdam and is an external reconstruction of the palace structure that was destroyed in 1945 and demolished during the GDR era. The reconstruction was inaugurated in January 2014 and serves as the seat of the Brandenburg State Parliament. The very simple, functional interior was designed by Peter Kulka.

History of the Potsdam City Palace

In 1752 the original city palace was built mainly under the architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff with the help of the builder Friedrich the Great (Friedrich II.). The palace was one of the most important buildings in Potsdam’s city center until it was destroyed.

However, the building history goes back even further. A castle stood there as early as the 13th century, from which the city palace later developed. This took place in particular after the takeover of Electress Katharina and later by Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, who made Potsdam (after Berlin) his second residence in 1660. From 1662 to 1669 he had a new castle built in place of the old building. This was probably done by Johann Gregor Memhardt. The exterior architecture was modeled on Dutch models.

Conversions and extensions of the Potsdam City Palace

The city palace was rebuilt and expanded several times in the following years. Among other things, the extension of the side wing to the Alter Markt between 1679 and 1682 according to plans by Michael Matthias Smidts and Johann Arnold Nering.

Friedrich I also had conversions carried out. During this time, the Fortunaportal was created as an effective closure. From 1746/47 to 1752 the city palace was expanded into a winter residence of the king after major works based on designs by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. In the end, the castle offered a uniform architectural structure with rich classic jewelry and a striking color scheme. The castle had a red-painted brickwork, yellow architectural parts and a blue copper roof.

Interiors of the Potsdam City Palace

The royal palace had several interiors and halls. Mention should be made of the staircase, the marble hall, the bronze hall, the concert room, the confidence table room, the marshal’s table room, the writing cabinet, dining room, several bedrooms and apartments.

Destruction and rebuilding

The Potsdam City Palace was badly damaged in the war. In an air raid, the city palace and large parts of its vicinity burned down to the outer walls. After years of conflict, the SED leadership decided in May 1959 to demolish the ruin in order to create a Karl Liebknecht forum at this point. In early 1960 the castle was blown up.

From 1991 onwards, discussions about the reconstruction of the city palace began. However, this did not materialize until Günther Jauch from Potsdam and other sponsors had the Fortuna portal faithfully restored with donations. In May 2005 the decision was made to build a new state parliament in the outlines and elevations of the historic Potsdam City Palace by 2011. This was completed in 2014.

Address

Am Alten Markt 1
14467 Potsdam

Der Beitrag Potsdam City Palace erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

The Glienicke Bridge connects the two cities of Potsdam and Berlin on the northeastern edge of Berlin. The bridge became particularly famous during the Cold War. It was the legendary setting for the third and final staged exchange of spies between the United States and the Soviet Union on February 11, 1986, gaining worldwide recognition. Due to its historical significance, it is considered one of the landmarks of both Potsdam and Berlin. Here you can find information about the Glienicke Bridge.

History of the Glienicke Bridge

In 1907, the Glienicke Bridge was constructed on Bundesstraße 1. It spans the Havel River, connecting Berlin and Potsdam. The bridge is named after the nearby former estate of Klein Glienicke, where the Glienicke Palace is now located.

The regional border between Brandenburg and Berlin, as well as the city border with Potsdam, runs directly through the center of the bridge. This led, during the time of the German division, to the bridge being the stage for a spectacularly staged third and final exchange of spies. This event was also portrayed in the film “Bridge of Spies.”

Before the current bridge was built in 1907, there were earlier bridges at the same location. The first wooden bridge, connecting both cities, existed between 1660 and 1777. However, it was exclusively used by the nobility to travel between the Potsdam palaces and hunting grounds on the opposite side of the Havel. Almost 100 years later, the bridge was opened for general carriage traffic, and a permanent postal connection was established. In 1777, the bridge had to be renewed to accommodate the increasing traffic. A new wooden drawbridge with railings was constructed, featuring guardhouses on both sides.

The third bridge was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and inaugurated on September 30, 1834. It remained in use until the completion of the present bridge. However, in 1906, it was decided that Schinkel’s bridge was inadequate for the growing motorized traffic. Additionally, on June 2, 1906, the Teltow Canal was opened, and the inland waterway ended at the existing bridge. Therefore, the bridge had to be replaced by a permanent structure. The truss bridge with a steel framework was completed in 1907. Initially named Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge, this name did not stick, leading to it being known as the “Glienicke Bridge.” Over the years, the bridge was modified, destroyed at the end of World War II, and rebuilt in 1947.

From 1952, the bridge was closed to private car traffic and only reopened to the public on November 10, 1989, one day after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

During the Cold War, the Glienicke Bridge served as a location for the exchange of individuals between the United States and the Soviet Union. From 1962 to 1986, three exchange operations took place involving a total of 40 people on the Glienicke Bridge. This earned it the nickname “Bridge of Spies” in the media.

Glienicke Bridge as a Landmark

The Glienicke Bridge, with its spectacular history, is a must-visit historical site during a trip to Berlin. Two shades of green, a lighter one on the Potsdam side and a darker one on the Berlin side, now commemorate the bridge’s history. A visit to the bridge can be easily combined with a trip to Potsdam. Babelsberg Park with Babelsberg Palace and the New Garden, as well as Glienicke Palace, Hunting Lodge Glienicke, and many other attractions on the Berlin side, are located near the bridge and invite exploration. The cultural landscape around the bridge has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Annual Visitor Numbers

No data is available so far.

Address

Königstr. 36, 14109 Berlin

Opening Hours

The bridge is accessible at all times.

Ticket Prices

Visiting the bridge is free.

Tickets

Der Beitrag Glienicke Bridge erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.

Tierpark Berlin – largest landscape animal park in Europe

As a counterpart to the zoological garden in the west of the city, there should also be a zoo in the east of the city. After the division of Berlin after the Second World War, the Tierpark Berlin was created from 1955 in the Friedrichsfelde Palace Park. The Friedrichsfelde Palace, built in 1695, is located in the park area originally designed by Peter Joseph Lenné.

The zoo itself covers an area of ​​160 hectares, making it the largest zoo in Europe. In addition to the areas for the animals, the gardens are also included. You should therefore plan a whole day for a visit. The extensive park landscape offers something for young and old and is very varied. It’s worth it, I promise.

Animal facilities in Tierpark Berlin

The zoo has many highlights for its visitors. But a special highlight in Tierpark Berlin are the elephants. The zoo enjoys special international recognition for the breeding of African elephants. Visit these powerful animals in the pachyderm house, where they will also find rhinos and manatees.

In addition to the elephants, there are around 8,000 exotic animals from over 650 species in the park. Whether polar bears, crocodiles, sun bears, camels, giraffes or monkeys. You can visit all of these animals in the zoo. Or join the daily feedings of the polar bears, for example.

Many of the animals were bred in Berlin. The zoo – but also the zoo and the Berlin aquarium – are committed to protecting species worldwide. These institutions are involved in almost two-thirds of all international conservation breeding programs.

You will find the following animal facilities in the zoo:

• Bears and other wild animals
• Children’s animal zoo, reindeer and small cats
• Alfred Brehm House: Plants and Animals
• Big cat outdoor enclosures and aviaries
• Pachyderm house
• Giraffe house and neighboring facilities
• Monkey house
• More wildlife enclosures
• Crocodile house
• Deer, wild boar and bison in the zoo

Zoo school and youth club

The little ones are also taken care of. In the zoo there is a zoo school, which as a place of learning zoo offers organized tours for daycare and school, which are designed according to age and individual wishes. You can find detailed information for school classes on the zoo’s website.

Further highlights of the Tierpark Berlin

• seasonal air shows with birds of prey
• adventurous playgrounds (themed)
• extensive camel meadows

In addition, a petting zoo and a walk-in rabbit paradise make children’s eyes shine. A large playground with numerous water features is a special highlight for the little ones.

Seasonal events in Tierpark Berlin

Throughout the year there are several seasonal events in the park on specific occasions. Including at Easter, Christmas, the zoo festival and various holiday programs for children.

Visitor numbers

With around 1.7 million visitors (as of 2019), the zoo is one of the most important sights in the city.

Opening times of the Tierpark Berlin

The zoo is open 365 days a year.

• daily winter 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• daily summer 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The opening times vary a little on individual days, e.g. at Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The zoo closes at 2 p.m. on December 24th. For security reasons, please inform yourself about the exact opening times on the website of the Tierpark Berlin before your visit.

Entrance fees

• Admission: Adults: 14.00 euros; reduced: 9.00 euros; Children (4 to 15 years inclusive): 7.00 euros
• Note: Handcart rental: 5.00 euros (deposit 10.00 euros); Elevators: free of charge

Tickets

Tickets for the zoo are available on site. However, we recommend the Berlin WelcomeCard. This can save you up to 50%.

Travel at your own pace through Berlin with your Berlin WelcomeCard (AB or ABC) and benefit from discounts of up to 50% on a variety of sights, including the Tierpark Berlin.

Address

Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde

Am Tierpark 125

10319 Berlin

For all animal and plant fans there is another zoo in Berlin – the Berlin Zoo in the western part of the city. It is the oldest German zoo and the most species-rich zoo in the world. It was opened on August 1, 1844 on the edge of the zoo.

Der Beitrag Tierpark erschien zuerst auf City Trips & Sightseeing.