19 Jan 2018
Sunny In Berlin Germany
Hello World. Hope you all having a great start to 2018.
Finally sharing my short but sweet stay in Berlin. Germany’s capital and the largest city in the country. It has one of the most turbulent histories of any European capital but has emerged as one of Europe’s most popular destinations in recent years.
HISTORY
Berlin has had an eventful history.
From Local History The great city of Berlin began in the 13th century. Originally there were 2 settlements on either side of the Spree River, Colln and Berlin. Colln was first mentioned in 1237 while Berlin was first mentioned in 1244. The two towns grew rapidly and in 1307 they made an alliance. In 1360 Berlin-Colln became a member of the Hanseatic League. By the 15th century they were flourishing towns with about 8,000 inhabitants. In 1432 Berlin and Colln were formally united. It would seem small to us but by Medieval standards it was a large and prosperous town.In the early 16th century the Reformation reached Brandenburg (the state that contained Berlin). The elector of Brandenburg became a Protestant in 1539. Berlin continued to prosper. However like all towns in the 16th century Berlin suffered from outbreaks from the plague. The plague struck Berlin in 1576, 1598 and 1699. Worse, like the rest of Germany was devastated by the Thirty Years War 1618-1648. Its population dropped to around 6,000.However Berlin recovered and in the late 17th century it flourished once again. Its population rose rapidly helped by French Protestants fleeing religious persecution. By the early 18th century the population of Berlin was over 50,000.In 1701 Elector Freidrich III became King Freidrich I of Prussia. Frederick the Great reigned from 1740 to 1786. Under him Berlin prospered and much great architecture was built.In 1806 the French entered Berlin. They occupied the city for 2 years. However during the 19th century Berlin continued to flourish. Berlin university was founded in 1810. In 1831 Berlin suffered an outbreak of cholera. However from about 1830 Berlin was transformed by the Industrial Revolution. In 1838 a railway opened from Berlin to Potsdam. In 1848 like other European cities Berlin was rocked by revolutions but soon the old order returned. In 1871 Berlin became the capital of Germany. By 1877 its population had reached 1 million. By 1900 it was almost 2 million. Like other cities in the mid 19th century Berlin was overcrowded and insanitary. However things improved in the late 19th century. In the late 1870s a network of sewers was built in Berlin. In the late 19th century Berlin gained electric light and telephones.In 1919 a group of Communists attempted an uprising in Berlin. However it was quickly crushed. Then in 1920 Berlin was amalgamated with several surrounding towns. However the 1920s were a hard time for Berlin as it was for the rest of Germany and many Berliners were unemployed. Then in 1933 Hitler became dictator of Germany. In 1936 the Olympic Games were held in Berlin. Then in 1938 during Kristallnacht many Jewish properties were looted and burned. In April 1945 the Russians surrounded Berlin. All resistance ceased on 2 May. The city was left in ruins but it soon recovered.After World War II Berlin was divided into sectors, Soviet, French, British and American. In 1948 the Soviets tried to annex the whole city. On 24 June 1948 cut all road and rail links to the allied sectors in West Berlin. However the allies started the Berlin airlift. For 11 months allied planes flew supplies into West Germany. On 12 May 1949 the Soviets backed down and ended the blockade. However in 1961 the Communists surrounded West Berlin with a wall and anyone trying to cross it was shot.The Berlin Wall was demolished in 1989 with the collapse of Communism. Berlin became the capital of a united Germany in 1991. In 2006 Berlin hosted the World Cup. The same year, 2006 Berlin Central Station opened. Today Berlin is a flourishing city.
BEFORE TRAVELING TO BERLIN
Visa: Germany is a party to the Schengen Agreement. U.S. citizens may enter Germany for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay. This regulation is strictly enforced in Germany.
Language: The official language of Germany is German, with over 95% of the population speaking German as their first language. Minority language include Sorbian, spoken by 0.09% in the East of Germany and North Frisian spoken in Nordfriesland by around 0.01% who also speak German. Many Germans also speaks English
Berlin is cheap: Being a tourist in a European capital can be expensive. Compared to cities like London or Paris, Berlin is way cheaper. You pay less for eating out, for your accommodation and everything else.
I flew in from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL)
I stayed at Cosmo Hotel Berlin Mitte. This 4-star hotel commands an excellent location and provides access to the city’s biggest attractions. For sightseeing options and local attractions. The staffs were extremely helpful throughout my stay.
Brandenburg Gate.
Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most famous landmark. A symbol of Berlin and German division during the Cold War, it is now a national symbol of peace and unity. The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most important monuments – a landmark and symbol all in one with over two hundred years of history.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. At the height of the Berlin Crisis in 1961 U.S. and Soviet tanks faced each other here.
I love meeting and interacting with my fellow Africans whenever I travel. While in Berlin, I was craving African food and this awesome Ghanaian restaurant with such beautiful souls was suggested.
As you can see from the photos, I ate everything ?
The Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The wall separated East Berlin and West Berlin. It was built in order to prevent people from fleeing East Berlin. In many ways it was the perfect symbol of the “Iron Curtain” that separated the democratic western countries and the communist countries of Eastern Europe throughout the Cold War.
I took countles photos at the Berlin Wall Thanks to Dylan from Argentina, another traveler I met while in Berlin
Berlin Fernsehturm
The tallest structure in Berlin is the Fernsehturm Berlin, which rises 368 metres (1,207 ft).
This restaurant was recommend by one of the hotel’s staffs. The food was indeed delicious.
As mentioned earlier, the hotels staffs were more than nice and helpful.They took countless photos of me. The Struggles of a solo traveler!
My stay in Berlin was short but memorable.
