What to see and to do in Berlin

On the threshold of World Football Cup Berlin seems to be one of the most discussed cities on Earth. The preparations for the big football holiday are finished; hotels, bars and restaurants are counting their future income, the city lives waiting.

Not all of Berlin citizens are excited by this huge fest. Those, who can afford it, prefer to leave the city and to spend holidays in the neighboring Switzerland. Some bar owners declare their establishments free of football � no matches� broadcasts, not football discussions.


Whether you have arrived in Berlin for football or not, you will surely have an excellent chance to see the city of Berlin � a very interesting city with long history and a lot of cultural attractions.
Berlin is the German capital since 1871. It�s the largest city in the country and the second largest in EU (after London).

In 1200 the area of the present Berlin was occupied by two settlements � Colln and Berlin. They united in 1307. In 1701, after the crowning of Fredrik III Berlin became royal residence city. In 1920s Berlin was one of the European cultural centres with intense theater, cinema and club life.

Everything changed in 1933 when Hitler came to power. The persecution of dissenters, Jews, the burning of books and total censorship didn�t contribute to cultural development and artistic life. These years can be called the gloomiest in the whole Berlin history. After the World War II life didn�t become much better � in 1961 Berlin Wall was raised and divided city into two parts for long 28 years. Since 1989 there is once again united Germany and Berlin is once again its capital. Nowadays, it�s a highly developed, prosperous city � a perfect place for living and not a less perfect place for rest.

What to see in Berlin? The heritage of several emperors and other Berlin rulers still adorns the city and remands of different pages in Berlin history. Above the above-mentioned Wall, there are Bradenburg Gates, built 1791. They became a part of Berlin Wall but after its fall were reopened. Another Berlin symbol is Reichstag in 1933 set on the fire by the Nazis. In 1970s the building was restored.

Berlin museums are harboring a lot of art treasures � there is even Museum Island where you can visit The Old Museum (Altes Museum), The New Museum (Neues Museum), The Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie), Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum, today called Bode Museum and Pergamon Museum.


And, finally, don�t miss the main football arena - Olympic Stadium. It was built for the 1936 Summer Olympics. During World War II these buildings suffered little damage. Now it's the home arena of club Hertha BSC of BerlinGerman Cup's final match is held each year here. . It was also used for 3 matches in the 1974 Football World Cup. This year it will host six matches in the 2006 Football World Cup and was renovated for that reason.

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By Elena Reboni