Berlin is Germany's seat of government and one of Europe's most visited capital cities. Its commercial growth started soon after the 1990 reunification, consolidating Berlin's position as a force in the German economic and touristic arena.
If there is one unquestionable truth about Berlin, this surely is the fact that Berlin simply knows how to take care of its visitors. It is maybe Europe's „most hospitable city”, offering aproximately 659 hotels ranging from 1 to 5 stars, more than enough for all the visitors looking for a nice and quiet accomodation. You don't have to worry about money; in Berlin it is impossible not to find a room suitable for your pocket. On the other hand, if you are a classy costumer, you will discover that the luxury rooms offer is more than satisfying.
Though you can find more hotel rooms in Berlin than New York or London, it would be a great idea not to leave things like booking to the last minute. As a piece of advice, you should get yourself booked as soon as you plan your Berlin vacation. Almost every hotel in Berlin has a website, so you shouldn't have any problems booking from your own living-room.
You will find the greatest concentration of Berlin hotels in the city centre near Kurfürstendamm, western Berlin's main boulevard. Mitte is renowned for being the main area for business or luxury hotels. In East Berlin you will find a nice collection of first-class hotels, especially around the historic centre.
Berlin is simply a city that never sleeps. It has an incredible and diverse nightlife based on the idea that 24-hour entertainment is everything that counts. Believe it or not, Berlin has more bars and cafes than any other European city. What is even more important is the fact that in Berlin you could be either a billionare or even a modest tourist and still be able to have a great time. In Berlin people are tied together by live concerts, beer festivals and last but not least, the truly authentic Berlin cuisine. It is known that the influx of immigrants had also a big influence; streets are full of falafel stalls, kebab restaurants and shawarma stands.
An important thing to know is that every hotel in Berlin offers you a wonderful and civilised Frühstück (breakfast). Available in a German buffet style menu, the traditional Frühstück features sausages, schnitzel, cheese, ham, eggs, fresh rolls, juice, milk or cereals. Seems like the term „all you can eat” was created especially to describe a Berliner Frühstück.
Another thing that you, as a tourist, should be acquainted with is the fact that, in Berlin, service charges are usually added to hotel or restaurant bills. In other words, this makes tipping unnecessary. Though, there are some small cafes and bars that don't respect this custom, so, as a piece of advice, it would be ok if you simply round up the bill to the nearest euro.
So what are you waiting for? Start packing your bags and don't forget to book a room at a nice hotel. Enjoy your vacation in the beautiful capital of Germany.
luni, 6 iulie 2009
vineri, 3 iulie 2009
Economy of Berlin
"Poor but attractive", as the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit once described the city of 3.4 million people that he governs, dominated by bars with artistic themes and galleries at the corner of the street. Now that the financial crisis is hitting all over the world, this doesn't seem a bad omen.
As restaurants go bankrupt in Paris, and London property prices suffered the most significant decreases in the last 16 years, Berliners do not have too much to lose. Unemployment is twice higher than the national average, in the place where the labor market is dominated by the government and the real estate market has not experienced any boom. For Berlin, the loans crisis has no meaning.
Berlin offers another look to its difficult past. During the 1920s, cabaret artist Marlene Dietrich and Professor of Physics Albert Einstein lived in this city, but they both fled after the violent attacks of Adolf Hitler's Nazism.
In 1949, four years after Germany's defeat in the Second World War, Berlin started to wear the robe for the Cold War, as a counterfort between the capitalist West and the communist East, until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Destruction of the city during the war and its subsequent division has evaporated the industrial base of Berlin, which was never rebuilt. Today, none of the 30 companies that comprise the German DAX index have their headquarters in the capital.
Nowadays, tourists are eager to visit the 170 museums in Berlin that host works of art like the Babylonian goddess, Ishtar's Gate, or the iconic bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti, while the international papers praise the street where the most famous fashion house stores, dozens of clubs and underground culture can be found.
New York Times said in 2006 that Berlin was like New York in the'80s, and "creativity in the air is specific only for a city in transition". Actors such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are fans of Berlin, known for their visits in bars and restaurants chosen from the recommendations of Bild, the best selling newspaper in Germany, which has moved its headquarters from Berlin to Hamburg at the beginning of 2009.
It is good to know that Berlin has some of the cheapest rents in Europe. Rent for a two room apartment in Mitte costs only 600 Euro per month, amount which also includes utilities, compared to about 1200 pounds (1,483 Euros), the rent value in London.
Some of Berlin's fast-growing sectors are life sciences, communication technologies, advertising, media, medical engineering and transportation. The decision to increase tax revenues and growth rates had the effect of increasing budget surplus in the last two years.
As restaurants go bankrupt in Paris, and London property prices suffered the most significant decreases in the last 16 years, Berliners do not have too much to lose. Unemployment is twice higher than the national average, in the place where the labor market is dominated by the government and the real estate market has not experienced any boom. For Berlin, the loans crisis has no meaning.
Berlin offers another look to its difficult past. During the 1920s, cabaret artist Marlene Dietrich and Professor of Physics Albert Einstein lived in this city, but they both fled after the violent attacks of Adolf Hitler's Nazism.
In 1949, four years after Germany's defeat in the Second World War, Berlin started to wear the robe for the Cold War, as a counterfort between the capitalist West and the communist East, until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Destruction of the city during the war and its subsequent division has evaporated the industrial base of Berlin, which was never rebuilt. Today, none of the 30 companies that comprise the German DAX index have their headquarters in the capital.
Nowadays, tourists are eager to visit the 170 museums in Berlin that host works of art like the Babylonian goddess, Ishtar's Gate, or the iconic bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti, while the international papers praise the street where the most famous fashion house stores, dozens of clubs and underground culture can be found.
New York Times said in 2006 that Berlin was like New York in the'80s, and "creativity in the air is specific only for a city in transition". Actors such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are fans of Berlin, known for their visits in bars and restaurants chosen from the recommendations of Bild, the best selling newspaper in Germany, which has moved its headquarters from Berlin to Hamburg at the beginning of 2009.
It is good to know that Berlin has some of the cheapest rents in Europe. Rent for a two room apartment in Mitte costs only 600 Euro per month, amount which also includes utilities, compared to about 1200 pounds (1,483 Euros), the rent value in London.
Some of Berlin's fast-growing sectors are life sciences, communication technologies, advertising, media, medical engineering and transportation. The decision to increase tax revenues and growth rates had the effect of increasing budget surplus in the last two years.
The Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Cold War, separating East Germany from West Germany. It was the most representative exponent of the Iron Curtain between Western Europe and the Eastern Block.
The construction of 45 km of barriers around the western sectors began on Sunday, August 13th 1961 in East Berlin. In the morning, the border was secured by East-German guard troops. The barrier was built by Eastern German soldiers and workers, without any direct involvement from the Soviets. The wall was built only on east-german territory, the designers and workers ensuring that they don't touch any point of the West Berlin territory. The streets that were extending along the barrier route were barricaded to prevent the passage of any vehicle and a high barbed wire fence was raised, a fence that later turned into a wall. The barrier physically divided the city and virtually surrounded West Berlin. During its construction, the National People's Army soldiers (NVA) and struggle groups of working class (KdA) have guarded the area, having clear orders to shoot any individual trying to flee to the west. Later, the Berlin Wall was reinforced with walls, mined fields and other safety facilities.
Many families were separated. Many East Germans were not allowed to work and do business in West Berlin, therefore losing a valuable source of income. West Berlin became an enclave almost totally isolated in a hostile territory.
Creating the wall had profound implications for all Germans. By stopping the exodus to the West, East German government was able to regain control over the country. However, the Wall was a propaganda disaster for Eastern Germany and other communist states. The Wall became a reference symbol of Western anti-communism propaganda, particularly after the shooting of individuals who tried to cross it.
There were eight official crossing points of the Wall, which allowed visits from the West Germans, Westerners and Allied personnel in eastern Berlin, and visiting German democrats in western Berlin (after obtaining an appropriate license). These crossing points were intended to separate different categories of people who could traverse: Eastern Germans, West Germans and other countries. The most famous was Friedrichstrasse (Checkpoint Charlie), which was intended only for Allied staff and non-German citizens.
During the existence of the Wall there were approximately 5.000 succesful escape attempts from Eastern Berlin. Various reports estimate that the number of dead during the attempted crossing of the Berlin Wall could be somewhere between 192 and 239 people. Many others were injured when attempting escape.
On November 9th 1989 tens of thousands of East Berliners stormed all the control points, claiming access to West Berlin. Because nobody wanted to assume responsibility of shooting innocent civilians, border guards opened the barrier crossing points, leaving the crowd to go after a brief inspection or even without any formality. The crowds of East-Berliners were encountered in an euphoric atmosphere by their neighbors in the West. November 9th is thus celebrated as the day when the Berlin Wall fell. In the following days Berliners came to the Wall to snatch souvenirs, managing to pull down entire sections of the barrier this time.
The construction of 45 km of barriers around the western sectors began on Sunday, August 13th 1961 in East Berlin. In the morning, the border was secured by East-German guard troops. The barrier was built by Eastern German soldiers and workers, without any direct involvement from the Soviets. The wall was built only on east-german territory, the designers and workers ensuring that they don't touch any point of the West Berlin territory. The streets that were extending along the barrier route were barricaded to prevent the passage of any vehicle and a high barbed wire fence was raised, a fence that later turned into a wall. The barrier physically divided the city and virtually surrounded West Berlin. During its construction, the National People's Army soldiers (NVA) and struggle groups of working class (KdA) have guarded the area, having clear orders to shoot any individual trying to flee to the west. Later, the Berlin Wall was reinforced with walls, mined fields and other safety facilities.
Many families were separated. Many East Germans were not allowed to work and do business in West Berlin, therefore losing a valuable source of income. West Berlin became an enclave almost totally isolated in a hostile territory.
Creating the wall had profound implications for all Germans. By stopping the exodus to the West, East German government was able to regain control over the country. However, the Wall was a propaganda disaster for Eastern Germany and other communist states. The Wall became a reference symbol of Western anti-communism propaganda, particularly after the shooting of individuals who tried to cross it.
There were eight official crossing points of the Wall, which allowed visits from the West Germans, Westerners and Allied personnel in eastern Berlin, and visiting German democrats in western Berlin (after obtaining an appropriate license). These crossing points were intended to separate different categories of people who could traverse: Eastern Germans, West Germans and other countries. The most famous was Friedrichstrasse (Checkpoint Charlie), which was intended only for Allied staff and non-German citizens.
During the existence of the Wall there were approximately 5.000 succesful escape attempts from Eastern Berlin. Various reports estimate that the number of dead during the attempted crossing of the Berlin Wall could be somewhere between 192 and 239 people. Many others were injured when attempting escape.
On November 9th 1989 tens of thousands of East Berliners stormed all the control points, claiming access to West Berlin. Because nobody wanted to assume responsibility of shooting innocent civilians, border guards opened the barrier crossing points, leaving the crowd to go after a brief inspection or even without any formality. The crowds of East-Berliners were encountered in an euphoric atmosphere by their neighbors in the West. November 9th is thus celebrated as the day when the Berlin Wall fell. In the following days Berliners came to the Wall to snatch souvenirs, managing to pull down entire sections of the barrier this time.
Berlin's Main Attractions
Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the 16 states of the country. It is located approximately 70 kilometers from the border with Poland. With a population of 3.4 million inhabitants, it is Germany's largest city and second by number of inhabitants in the European Union. Located in north-eastern Germany, the Berlin metropolitan area - Brandenburg, an area that collects 5 million people from over 180 different nations, the city is crossed by rivers Spree and Havel.
Berlin is the heart of modern Germany, a city that has made a virtue of reinventing itself. The metropolis hosts worldwide famous universities, research centers, sporting events, museums and personalities. The urban landscape of the city and its historical heritage have turned the town into a popular location for international film productions. Berlin is recognized for its festivals, for its diverse architecture, night life, contemporary art and high standard of living.
Berlin's cultural program is amazing: 3 opera halls, more than 150 theaters, more than 170 museums and collections and over 200 private galleries. In addition, there are about 1500 events occuring on Berlin's cultural calendar.
The memorial dedicated to murdered European Jews - opened in spring 2005, the abstract work of art is situated near the Brandenburg Gate and includes an underground museum, which presents details of the Holocaust. Approximately 3.5 million tourists visit this impressive memorial each year.
Berlin Cathedral - the largest and most impressive church, built in the 19th and 20th centuries, is an expression of imperial power. From the top of the dome you can admire the beautiful panorama of the city center.
Berlin Wall - A large intact portion of the Wall is located in the eastern city center, along the river Spree in Mühlenstraße. The wall was originally built of stone slabs on a portion of 12 km and 137 km of barbed wire, with 116 observation towers. The wall divided 192 streets, 32 railway, 12 trains and subways. Even the lakes and rivers were guarded. 134 people died trying to cross this border.
Museum Island - is the northern half of the island on the river Spree, in Berlin center. On this island you will find many museums: Bode Museum, Pergamon Museum, Altes Museum. In 1999, the museum complex was included in UNESCO patrimony.
Brandenburg Gate - is the symbol of both Berlin and entire Germany. It appears on coins of 10, 20 and 50 euro cents.
Charlottenburg Palace - is the largest palace in Berlin and the only city building that dates from the Hohenzollern dynasty. It was destroyed during the Second World War but was subsequently restored, being a major attraction for tourists.
Berlin Zoo – the zoological garden in Berlin has the largest range of species in the world. It is famous for its panda bears and for Knut, the famous polar bear born in captivity in 2006.
Reichstag - German Parliament building, near the Brandenburg Gate, has a huge glass dome from where the tourists can admire the entire city.
Berlin is the heart of modern Germany, a city that has made a virtue of reinventing itself. The metropolis hosts worldwide famous universities, research centers, sporting events, museums and personalities. The urban landscape of the city and its historical heritage have turned the town into a popular location for international film productions. Berlin is recognized for its festivals, for its diverse architecture, night life, contemporary art and high standard of living.
Berlin's cultural program is amazing: 3 opera halls, more than 150 theaters, more than 170 museums and collections and over 200 private galleries. In addition, there are about 1500 events occuring on Berlin's cultural calendar.
The memorial dedicated to murdered European Jews - opened in spring 2005, the abstract work of art is situated near the Brandenburg Gate and includes an underground museum, which presents details of the Holocaust. Approximately 3.5 million tourists visit this impressive memorial each year.
Berlin Cathedral - the largest and most impressive church, built in the 19th and 20th centuries, is an expression of imperial power. From the top of the dome you can admire the beautiful panorama of the city center.
Berlin Wall - A large intact portion of the Wall is located in the eastern city center, along the river Spree in Mühlenstraße. The wall was originally built of stone slabs on a portion of 12 km and 137 km of barbed wire, with 116 observation towers. The wall divided 192 streets, 32 railway, 12 trains and subways. Even the lakes and rivers were guarded. 134 people died trying to cross this border.
Museum Island - is the northern half of the island on the river Spree, in Berlin center. On this island you will find many museums: Bode Museum, Pergamon Museum, Altes Museum. In 1999, the museum complex was included in UNESCO patrimony.
Brandenburg Gate - is the symbol of both Berlin and entire Germany. It appears on coins of 10, 20 and 50 euro cents.
Charlottenburg Palace - is the largest palace in Berlin and the only city building that dates from the Hohenzollern dynasty. It was destroyed during the Second World War but was subsequently restored, being a major attraction for tourists.
Berlin Zoo – the zoological garden in Berlin has the largest range of species in the world. It is famous for its panda bears and for Knut, the famous polar bear born in captivity in 2006.
Reichstag - German Parliament building, near the Brandenburg Gate, has a huge glass dome from where the tourists can admire the entire city.
joi, 2 iulie 2009
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.
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.
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