Short History of Berlin

Located in northeastern Germany, Berlin is one of the largest European capitals and a major center of politics, media, science and culture.

It was established in 1307 due to the union of two settlements: Berlin, situated on the northern banks of the Spree, and Cölln, located on the present-day site of Museum Island.

In 1451, elector prince Frederick II Irontooth began the construction of his new royal palace, despite citizenry protests. It was a dark period for Berlin, the town suffering again and again from wars, plagues and fires. Finally, under the rule of Friedrich Wilhelm (1640-1683), Berlin knew prosperity and economic and political stability. At the same time, the city was heavily fortified and the first extravagant buildings were constructed.

When elector prince Friedrich III was crowned as King Friedrich I of Prussia in 1701, Berlin received the status of royal residence and was declared capital city of Prussia. During this period lots of famous buildings appeared and until 1786, Berlin became Prussia's leading industrial city.

Over the next few decades Schinkel designed a number of classical buildings, while Lenne created some of Europe's most beautiful park areas.

In 1871 the German Empire was founded and Berlin was declared its capital, under the command of German Emperor Wilhelm I of Prussia. From 1871 to 1895 Berlin's population grew from 800.000 to more then 1.5 million inhabitants. Following Germany's unquestionable defeat in the First World War, its last emperor, Wilhelm II (1888-1918) was forced to go into exile.

Germany had serious problems after the First World War and the crisis that followed forced the creation of the first German Republic. Againt all odds, Berlin prospered and grew into a renowned cultural metropolis.

In 1933, the darkest chapters in Berlin's history had begun. Adolf Hitler seized power, becoming German Chancellor. Soon after this, he initiated a programme of persecution against communists, political opponents, Jews and many others. On September 1st 1939, Hitler attacked Poland and began the Second World War. At this time, Berlin had a population of almost 4.5 million. Hitler's advance was stopped by the Russian Army at Moscow and Stalingrad, and in 1943 the Allied forces began to bomb Berlin, destroying at least a third of the city's historic buildings and living-space. Berlin capitulated on May 8th 1945, followed by Germany's capitulation on th 9th. Germany had lost the Second World War and the aftermath was overwhelming. Berlin lay in ruins and its population had almost halved. The victorious Allied powers divided the city into four sectors, each under control by one of the powers.

From 1961, Berlin was divided in 2 parts, East Berlin and West Berlin, separated by a great stone wall, Berlin Wall. This wall made the travel between East Germany and West Germany impossible until late 1989. On the night of November 9th 1989, the Berlin Wall was unexpectedly opened and both Berlin and the rest of Germany began celebrating.

On October 3rd 1990, Berlin was once again chosen as the capital city of Germany, following its official reunification.