Private Taxi Tour City East & West History and Architecture 2-3h

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Duration:2 hours (approx.)
Location: Berlin, Germany

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In contrast to bus trips, with an individual sightseeing taxi tour you have the opportunity to stop almost everywhere - be it for a photo shoot, be it for a snack or break, be it for a coffee. Or for a longer tour to take a closer look at an object or to have it explained to you (Berlin Cathedral, Hackesche Höfe, Brandenburg Gate, Gendarmenmarkt, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, KaDeWe are recommended, for example). Depending on your interests and preferences! And in contrast to a tour, you don't just see a tiny section of our city, City East, the former center and City West, the former West Berlin! So combine the best of walking and bus tours in an Auto City Tour, just like I always do privately with friends and family. And enjoy the luxury of being picked up personally from your accommodation in the S-Bahn ring. And all in a real Berlin luxury taxi SUV!

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1. Breitscheidplatz
Not so many people can remember this name, it goes back to an SPD politician who was very committed to workers. Much better known is the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which we will see from the other side again later. Many believe that the name refers to the memory of the war, but what is meant is Wilhelm I, to whom his grandson and his Hohenzollern family erected a memorial. Therefore, all the faces of the Holy Family and the disciples in the entrance of the preserved portal somewhat resemble the Prussian kings and emperors. Originally, the plan was to completely clear the war-torn place, including the remains of the church. There was resistance to this, so at least the tower and the west portal were preserved. The church tower and the actual church hall were built around the outside in a modern style based on designs by Egon Eiermann. Allegedly called lipstick and powder compact by the Berliners.
2. Zoo Berlin
This zoo is not only one of the oldest in Germany, it also has the largest population of animals and species (around 16,000 animals of 1,600 different species). The foundation goes back to King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, who could not do much with the animal population on the Pfaueninsel of his predecessors (from peacocks to bears to other rare animals). So he had the animals moved near Berlin and sacrificed part of his private hunting grounds, the zoo. The buildings were also erected in the manner and style of the respective countries of origin of the animals, which is still nice to look at despite the war damage. Of course, Berlin also has a second zoo, but that is the zoo around Friedrichsfelde Palace, due to the division of the city. Today both belong together. From the outside, the large elephant gate with the monkey enclosure behind and the lion gate at the Zoo station are particularly striking.
3. Theater des Westens
It looks a bit strange from the outside, a bit poured over everything in the confectioner's style and is also not that old: the theater of the west. So called because it was built in what was then the new west of Berlin (and only later, so to speak, happened to be in West Berlin). At the beginning of the 20th century it was trendy to move out of the much too densely built-up city center (called Mitte) with all its marches and parades to the green west, where there was still space for large villas with gardens. The theater, today used as a musical theater, is reminiscent of this splendor and even contains an imperial box inside.
4.
Here we pan over from Kantstrasse (which in its longer course turns into an interesting Chinese quarter, goes back to the students from the imperial era at the Technical University) to the famous Kurfürstendamm, in Berlin lovingly and ironically to the Ku'damm abbreviated.
5. Kurfurstendamm
Here we get a small impression of the western splendor boulevard. In reality it is much longer, almost 5 km to Halensee. Erected on the model of the Champs Élysées in Paris, which Bismarck had made a great impression on after the German victory over France (even the candelabras remind of it). Only today it is no longer adorned by magnificent villas, not even by entertainment bars, cafes and many cinemas, as in the times of George Grosz and Erich Kästner, but has mutated into a shopping mile with chic boutiques (further west, from Versace over Bulgari and Dolce Gabbana can be found here) and modern flagship stores like here from Apple and Tesla. As a result, the chic boulevard is now lonely and deserted at night.
6.
Here again the Memorial Church, this time from the other side. The new building is also worth a visit, not only does everything appear in a mysterious blue light through the many thousands of glass stones specially made in France. It's surprisingly quiet inside too, considering the noise of this very crowded place. This is due to the special construction of a double wall with 2 m of soundproofing air in between. Unfortunately, the concrete structure is very fragile because it is fragile and exposed to all traffic emissions. That is why one of the buildings is seldom without scaffolding. Immediately behind it the tower of the European Center, together with the low-rise building, it is the oldest shopping center in Berlin, recently 50 years old. Originally even with an ice rink in the middle, but that was later sacrificed to optimize space. Berlin is now nationwide mall capital: we already have more than 70 and more are in the pipeline.
7. Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe)
After Breitscheidplatz we reach the Tauentzien, named after a general from the battle against Napoleon, like all other streets straight ahead. Perceived by many as a continuation or the beginning of the Ku'damm; From a whim of history, Ku’damm is actually missing 9 house numbers. Also flanked by many shops, but mostly those with affordable prices. Apart from the deluxe department store at the end of the street, the KaDeWe, with its 60,000 m² largest single department store in continental Europe. There is every conceivable luxury there, especially up on the gourmet floor, from sipping champagne to eating oysters, the finest types of chocolate and even more types of bread and cheese, everything your heart desires is offered there. Still denigrated by some as "Fressetage" ... Definitely visit!
8.
It was once the most beautiful place, at least in West Berlin. In view of the rather insignificant 1950s buildings there is not much left, but the subway station still stands out in the middle, crowned by a truly beautiful building. Several lines cross here, so that in the early 20th century it was decided to connect them with a common train station. Nevertheless, the Berlin subway can of course not stand up to comparison with the Moscow one, for example, it is really old (not quite as old as the Londoner, but roughly like the one from Paris). And coming from Nollendorfplatz, the former workers' railway disappears underground here. The formerly independent and very wealthy city of Charlottenburg did not want to do this to itself that a stinking train (at that time still) snorted past the beautiful villas.We will see in a moment how it back up towards Nollendorfplatz (and that was Schöneberg or Berlin) got.
9.
The Urania is actually an association that wanted to make science clear to a large audience in the late 19th century. We still feel obliged to this task with slide presentations, panel discussions, etc. In front of it a strange arch, which strives towards the sky, it represents a certain degree (of a circle), a gift from France for the 750th anniversary of Berlin (and France was an occupying power in 2 districts). The former largest hotel in West Berlin is located on Lützowplatz, which is why it is simply called Berlin. And in the middle? The big void, the extra-wide green strip reminds us that Berlin should one day become a car-friendly city. With elevated routes for through traffic. Like today in Bangkok or Mexico City. And luckily not here ...
10. Tiergarten
Formerly an electoral hunting ground, and because there was also a fence around it so that the animals couldn't run away (and, conversely, the farmers from the surrounding villages couldn't hunt them), it soon had its name: the zoo. But Friedrich II, later called the Great, didn't like the hunt, banished the fence and for the first time allowed the Berliners to enter the private royal hunting grounds. In keeping with his time, he had part of it redesigned into a baroque garden. Later kings preferred the English landscape garden, and this is where the Prussian architect and gardener Peter Lenné excelled. He had the Schafgraben expanded into the Landwehr Canal, thus draining the swampy part of the zoo and creating landscapes, lakes and lines of sight. It has basically stayed that way until today, only World War II had a devastating effect. Soon almost no trees were standing upright, and potatoes were being grown in front of the Reichstag. But then the reforestation came with Allied help.
11. Victory Column (Siegessaule)
Originally erected in front of the Reichstag, it was a lot shorter, our victory column. It contained only 3 drums, on them gilded captured cannons of the opponents: Danes, Austrians and French in the so-called German Wars of Unification, at the end of which the German Empire was proclaimed in the Palace of Versailles. No wonder that the French in particular were angry and wanted to have the thing blown up after the war. But the British refused, she was in their occupation sector. And they also had the forest around it reforested. The Victory Column was shipped here by Hitler, whom it disrupted while building his giant people's hall between the Reichstag and today's main train station. Then he added another drum to it for the next victory - but as we know, thank God that turned out differently.
12. Bellevue Palace
Today the seat of the Federal President, the small castle was built for the youngest brother Friedrich II: August Ferdinand. And because from there it had a beautiful view of the much larger Charlottenburg Palace (and at times the seat of Fr. II), it had its name gone. That view is long gone, after the war it was pretty battered and was somewhat prepared for the temporary presence of the West German Federal Presidents in Berlin. What always led to protests from East Berlin, they considered West Berlin to be a neutral bloc between the two German states. Although they themselves had a president at Schönhausen Palace (Otto Grotewohl). But only Roman Herzog, the first Federal President after reunification, really lived in the castle, but found it rather small, cold and impractical. So it was completely rebuilt again as the sole Berlin official seat - next to the Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn.
13. Haus der Kulturen der Welt
The former congress hall was a gift from the Americans to Berliners, de facto West Berliners in the 1950s. And the spectacular design with the curved roof soon led to the nickname "Pregnant Oyster". Incidentally, one of the few that are actually in use in Berlin (there are now a few congress halls). But the building was probably so ahead of its time that the statics couldn't withstand it, the roof collapsed in 1980 and even buried a journalist under itself. But the pregnant oyster was rebuilt true to the original and has been operating as the "House of World Cultures" ever since. Especially non-European artists have a venue here, often combined with cozy concerts on the roof terrace facing the Spree on summer nights. The Teddy Awards of the Berlinale were also given here at times. In the meantime, congresses took place in the "new" ICC at the radio tower, but that was 1979, and this has been waiting for a renovation for a long time.
14. Reichstag Building
Magnificent Wilhelminian building, even if criticized by it as a chat room or monkey house. Therefore also built outside and away from the city. Historically valuable, after all, the Red Army soldiers placed their flag on the building as a symbol of victory. Even if the famous photo of it is only reproduced. Then for decades it was largely ignored in the so-called free West Berlin - only 5 m away from the Wall, it was not allowed to be used for official Bundestag sessions. If so, to elect the Federal President, for example, a reprimand from East Berlin followed immediately. Completely gutted in the nineties and completely redesigned for the reunified Bundestag with now over 700 members. Not to forget the iconographic wrapping action by the artist Christo. The Reichstag dome, put on new glass after the architect had only planned a kind of gas station roof at this point, it now represents the new Berlin.
15. Paul-Lobe-Haus
This building is the so-called engine of parliament; all parliamentary work takes place here. In Parliament, only the closing speeches are held; the actual discussion and voting takes place in the committees. There is plenty of opportunity for this in every bulge in the over 200 m long building on three floors. And as a glass parliament you can even see it from the outside. Only the EU and secret committees sit in the largest rotunda facing the Spree above the two restaurants - and cannot be seen from outside.
16. Bundeskanzleramt der Bundesregierung
Colossal building, with a height of 36 m, ten floors and a total of 500 office rooms for over 300 employees, not exactly small. The White House would fit eight times. The only bigger ones are palaces for presidents. The Chancellor has her office in the top left corner. In the rotunda above there is an official apartment for her, which she does not use. As you know, she lives across from Museum Island. The official apartment is also rather impractical, with bathroom and bedroom across the street with about 200 m² of usable space.
17.
A modern building, with a striking large giant window in the middle. Behind this, the government is surveyed once or twice a week by accredited journalists from the capital. They then sit in front of a blue wall, which is also easily reflected here in the facade.
18.
Largest crossing station in Europe, that's what the railway itself says and tells of 300,000 passengers who change trains here every day. Well that's hard to check. But in fact the train station is already huge in its dimensions, with 8 underground tracks and just as many above ground. In between huge halls, a total of 5 levels, and many, many shops. And so that they got enough visitors, the former most important train station in West Berlin, namely the Bahnhof Zoo, was downgraded to a regional train station without a stop for the ICE. To the horror of the Charlottenburg etc, who now had another journey - felt like nowhere. Because the new central station (Berlin never had one, only terminal stations in all directions) was only on the Stadtbahn (which was once built to connect most of Berlin's train stations). The underground only got a stub up to the Brandenburg Gate (it is being extended), and underground digging is still going on at the S-Bahn.
19.
Here we pass the east-west border again. In the port, which was already a restricted area at that time, the first deaths occurred after the wall was built. Günter Litfin was shot backwards while trying to swim through the harbor. His brother mourned him until a few years ago - in one of the last remaining watchtowers at the Invalidenfriedhof.
20.
Today important ministries - for economy and traffic - are lined up here in significant buildings with an eventful history. The Palais am Invalidenpark - formerly for war casualties who were admitted here - was also used for an execution court in GDR times, in which death sentences were passed. For a long time it was also a military hospital. On the way to the Ministry of Transport - a Bavarian minister has always resided there for years - we see a piece of sunken wall on the left. This is art - because it wasn't there at all, but behind us at the level of the bridge. On the right hand side we can already see many of the old clinic buildings of the Charité, the largest university hospital in Europe. In the foreground is the medical-historical museum, nearby is an "anatomical theater" from the Baroque era, in which animals were dissected as object lessons even before medical students.
21. Memorial of the Berlin Wall
For a long time it was away from the tourist stream, the official memorial of the city of Berlin to the wall. Everyone flocked to Checkpoint Charly, but there is only one privately run museum dedicated to the escape attempts. Today it's different, but why was this part on Bernauer Strasse on the border with Wedding chosen? There have been many spectacular escape attempts here - with tunnels. Because it was also possible here at Prenzlauer Berg (otherwise you would already drink in Berlin in about 1m depth). In addition, there was an original piece of the Berlin Wall, preserved on the initiative of the pastor of the parish that was cut by the wall here and whose historic church was blown up at the end of the 1980s. This was framed by metal mirror surfaces, in expectation that the city would soon close the fallow land on the death strip. But here too: wrong, you can still see the strip through the city clearly, now also protected.
22.
This has now become a hotspot - not just for tourists who find hotels and hostels all around here. There is also - unlike in many other places in the former East - warm food all night long during the week, and not just as a snack. Bars and nightlife are also all around, even if not the big clubs (almost all of them are now near the water, i.e. near the Spree), but there are small, hip shops right here in Torstrasse. By the way, it's called that because it was a kind of city limits road (part of a ring), where the 17 city gates stood at weddings until the 19th century. Jews were also allowed to enter through the Rosenthaler Tor, as well as through the Hallesche Tor at the southern end of the city at that time. Immediately behind this gate we come to the so-called Spandauer Vorstadt, which is why many Jews settled there.
23. Die Hackeschen Hoefe
Today they are like a nucleus of this area, which is particularly popular with tourists. Dilapidated in GDR times and partly used as a warehouse, this courtyard ensemble was the first to be restored after the fall of the Wall and shines in its old Art Nouveau charm. The courtyards were built in 1908 as a kind of showcase courtyard area. Here life and work were supposed to mix in an exemplary manner, small factories, printing houses and workshops offered work, and the atria were large enough and green enough that one could also live on the upper floors. You can admire all of this again today in its original splendor, although the workshops have been replaced by shops with selected, partly self-made goods. KPM (Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur) also exhibits its porcelain here, and in the same courtyard you will also find the products of the famous East Berlin Ampelmännchen.
24. Stiftung Neue Synagoge Berlin - Centrum Judaicum
Here we see a no-stopping ban on the right, bollards and also policemen with submachine guns in their arms. A sure sign of a Jewish facility in Berlin, because it is not without reason that they are guarded day and night. In the facade you can see Moorish style elements, the whole thing is crowned by a golden dome. Unfortunately, the church itself, which offered space for up to 3000 believers, was destroyed in the war. The front building, a kind of entrance portal, was at least started to be rebuilt in Eastern times. In it today a worth seeing exhibition on Jewish life in Berlin. But be careful, the security measures at the entrance are similar to those in the airport. The synagogue was built to replace an older synagogue nearby, at a time when Prussia offered Jews equal civil rights and people wanted to proudly present their own culture. Even the iron chancellor Bismarck appeared for the inauguration in 1866.
25. Friedrichstrasse
One of the most famous and longest streets through the city of Berlin: Friedrichstrasse. From here it runs in a straight line south to Kreuzberg, where it ends at today's Mehringplatz - and thus at Hallescher Tor. It has quite different sections, here is the somewhat dingy northern end, which is currently being spruced up. The Tacheles, which actually stands on Oranienburger Straße, extends over here, as it was originally a shopping gallery before department stores became fashionable. Today it's the other way around. A small new district is being created here on an area that could hold some villages.
26. Friedrichstadt-Palast
West Berliners like to mockingly call it Revueplatte, since it has provided a lot of amusement since it was built, and that when the house is often sold out. Much attention is also paid to the large in-house productions. And people like to advertise the longest stage in the world (even if it is not as deep as the one in Las Vegas), after all it also contains a retractable swimming pool or a rotating ice surface. In any case, that much is certain, two 80 revue dancers' legs fit nicely next to each other.
27. Berlin Friedrichstrasse Station
This station was the only one from which there was an onward journey from East to West Berlin during the time of the Wall, for example also for the Paris-Moscow Express at the time. Or also for the departure of East Berliners, but then without a return ticket. Which is why this station was also used for adventurous escape attempts, which, however, were not always successful. Otherwise, the whole station was criss-crossed by barriers and customs checkpoints, with Stasi observation corridors in the middle - if you are interested in this and more, you will find the original reconstructed next door in the so-called Palace of Tears. This was so called because the East Berliners had to say goodbye to their relatives there, and often for seemingly forever.
28. Unter den Linden
This magnificent boulevard was the first of its kind in Berlin. Actually designed as a tranquil bridle path, it led from the Berlin Palace to the west, through the Brandenburg Gate into the hunting grounds, today's zoo. These were also reserved for the elector personally and exclusively. When the city expanded to the west - the nucleus was the island in the Spree and the eastern side, where the Nikolaiviertel is today - the Jagdweg was expanded into a considerable boulevard. When it came to the question of how to plant it, there was no agreement between nut trees and linden trees. As you can see today, the linden trees prevailed, otherwise today the street was called Unter den Nüssen ... Originally lined with aristocratic palaces, today there are important and prominent buildings from the State Library to the Humboldt University and the State Opera. Only the remaining cafes on the median are cozy.
29. Brandenburg Gate
It's actually on Pariser Platz, at least from the other side. If the city of Berlin were an apartment, this place would be the so-called parlor. In other words, the room where guests are happy to take them to show the most beautiful sides of the city. But why so much, the surrounding buildings were destroyed by war and demolition in the later decades, all that was left was the Brandenburg Gate. It was about as isolated as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. But it wasn't planned that way. There was no way to get to the gate from either side, a very thick wall stood from the west, and the East Berliners were separated by a fence from the east. The remaining part of the Hotel Adlon was finally blown up. After the fall of the Wall, it was decided to rebuild everything here, but modernized in style, only in cubature as before. Now the Liebermannhaus, the Academy of the Arts, the French and American embassies are gathered here again.
30. Russische Botschaft
After the war, the Soviet Union had the largest foreign representation in Europe built here. Its size was supposed to document who was in charge here in the center of Berlin, at that time the American, British and French embassies on Pariser Platz were all in ruins. Contrary to the von den Linden statutes, according to which all buildings should be aligned flush with the street, this type of palace allowed itself an inner courtyard. It was supposed to please Stalin in everything - but unfortunately it is not known whether he ever set foot in it, let alone stayed the night there. At least nothing would have been missing, even for the attached school there is a swimming pool and ballrooms and so on anyway. But Stalin was also a paranoid all his life. To this day used for the successor states of the USSR called GUS.
31. Gendarmenmarkt
German and French cathedral, theater, concert hall, this square is rightly described by many as the most beautiful square in Berlin. Today's concert hall (formerly built as a theater) is nicely framed by the two so-called domes. Namely the German and the French cathedral. However, they are neither bishop's seats nor cathedrals, but simple meetinghouses that Frederick II had embellished with a cathedral-like tower, supposedly according to his own design. The left church, the German cathedral, is no longer used as such, but contains a museum for the parliamentary history of Germany. The one on the right, the French cathedral, is still used by a Reformed congregation that holds services in French on Sundays. Behind it a small Huguenot museum, because it was these refugees who were allowed to build their church here. They only had to live further outside in Moabit. Rebuilt in GDR times.
32. Bebelplatz
So-called commode (Royal Court Library), St. Hedwig Cathedral, State Opera, Humboldt University together form the Forum Fridericianum. In today's Hotel Club the Rome, the SPD and KPD were forcibly united. Therefore, the name August Bebel, the founder of the SPD, may also fit. Otherwise, the square used to be called simply Opernplatz, which would also fit better. In the middle of the square, you can easily walk across it, unless there is a crowd of people there, a glass window in the floor that points to an empty library. Here on May 10, 1933, all books unsuitable from the Nazi point of view were burned. With the Humboldt University opposite, the square forms a nice square, as the Berliner says. Because this building was also built as a palace, namely for the younger brother of Friedrich II, Heinrich. A few years after his death, it was used as the nucleus of the royal Friedrich Wilhelm University, today Humboldt University.
33. Neue Wache
For many, the spectacle under the linden trees used to be: the changing of the guard at the new guard, the East Berlin soldiers then walked up and down here at goose-step. That is long gone now, but actually this guard housed the castle guard, at least a small part of it. Formerly a kind of eternal flame inside (actually made of glass, but looks like this when the light falls), today a pièta, an enlarged form of the sculpture by Käthe Kollwitz, who mourned her son who died after only a few weeks in the First World War. Today a place of mourning for all victims of war and tyranny, therefore often statesmanlike wreaths here, especially after the national memorial day in November.
34. Kronprinzenpalais
This building and the neighboring Kronprinzessinnenpalais are often overlooked - when all the giant objects on Unter den Linden are named, they quickly go under. In fact, their most important purpose was that which is already hidden in the name: Not only were crown princes and princesses born here, but they also grew up here and not infrequently gave birth to them themselves. The two palaces are connected by a corridor. Since the Kronprinzessinnenpalais is so close to the State Opera, it was often used as an opera cafe, and it is currently being used as an exhibition space. The Kronprinzenpalais is still being used by the administration for the reconstruction of the City Palace / Humboldt Forum.
35. Deutsches Historisches Museum
The German Historical Museum is located in the former armory. This traditionally contains the "toys" for men in case of war, ie war implements. Gladly also those captured by the enemy. As a result, a war weapons museum developed from this, and in GDR times also a military history museum. After the fall of the Wall, the decision was made to set up a central museum of German history here, after the groundbreaking had already fallen where the Chancellery is today. Then the story came in between ... The house itself was completely refurbished after the fall of the Wall, and especially the frescoes outside and also in the inner courtyard of the building make many shiver, because they are replicas of death masks of dying warriors. Andreas Schlueter, the builder of the baroque Berlin Palace, drew here as a sculptor.
36.
There was simply nothing here for decades, a large parking lot, sometimes used for merrymaking and hype. The Berlin palace of the Berlin electors, later kings and later emperors, has stood here for centuries. Burned out during the war and not extinguished, its silhouette was nonetheless unbroken and was partly used inside after the war, for example for exhibitions on how things should go on with Berlin after the war. Nevertheless, the East Berlin gentlemen had it blown up for months, regardless of all criticism from home and abroad, because it represented an icon of the North German Baroque. Before the demolition, it was documented in detail with photographs, it now allows an externally exact reconstruction, the Schlueter inner courtyard is also reconstructed in great detail. The non-European art collections and those of the Humboldt University are to be added to the otherwise modern concrete building. Planned opening in sections as the Humboldt Forum 2020/2021
37. Alexanderplatz
Everyone talks about Alexanderplatz today - it would be funny to talk about Ochsenplatz, even if that was the original name, probably because they were traded in exactly the same here. Actually already outside the oldest city walls, it was an eastern extension including St. Mary's Church. The origin of the square can actually be found where the forecourt in front of the Galleria Kaufhof is today. During the GDR era, they wanted a socialist redesign here in the sense of a Russian prospectus: With plenty of space for all those marching, preferably including tanks and other types of weapons, surrounded by modern buildings that somehow stood for the modernity of socialism, from the House of Tourism to over the house of electrical engineering to the house of the teacher. And in the middle of it the television tower, to this day the highest in Germany, as evidence of socialist engineering and construction.
38. Rotes Rathaus
The Red City Hall is not called that according to the governing mayor's party book; this has the same function in Berlin as the Prime Minister in other countries. But of course for the red bricks. In East Berlin times, the East Berlin magistrate also sat here (incidentally with a Lord Mayor, as was common in all of Berlin until 1945) and the West Berlin ruler sat in the Schöneberg Town Hall. Built in the neo-Gothic style, you can also visit it free of charge, at least some interesting rooms, including a room with many plaster casts of well-known statues. Erected in the 1870s, it of course soon became too small and therefore the so-called town house with a towering dome was built diagonally behind it. The oldest town hall in Berlin stood not far from here on the then so-called long bridge, today's Rathausbrücke, in the middle as a connection between two cities, namely Berlin and Cölln.
39. Nicholas Quarter
Recommended tour with Nikolaikirche, Knoblauchhaus and much more. Here you can experience old Berlin, at least the backdrops are right, because that was exactly the intention of the declared reconstruction in the eighties (i.e. still in GDR times), when in truth there were only three houses here, and only the walls of the Nikolaikirche without roof and spire. In addition, 2000 apartments were to be accommodated on this tiny area, a feat of the architect. We approach from the outside at a height that is typical of Berlin and, as it were, zoom into an increasingly older, almost baroque Berlin. With the end of the Nikolaikirche, the oldest in Berlin, today a city museum. In the immediate vicinity is the original Knoblauchhaus, furnished in the most beautiful Biedermeier style and also shows the family life of a cloth maker family free of charge. In addition, typical Berlin restaurants beckon with a view of the Spree, in the middle of St. George as he kills the dragon.
40.
The oldest crossing in Berlin with a view of the lock. Here the two Berlins were actually created at a ford through the Spree, where you could cross the river. That is why a settlement for fishermen, called Cölln, was formed here with C. It is still unknown today whether these were repatriates from the Rhineland. The traders then resided on the eastern side, which is why the church dedicated to Saint Nicholas there. On the Cölln side corresponding to Sankt Petri. The ford was not a bridge for a long time either, but the river was actually dammed here and the water diverted through canals, of which there were many. Practically there were mills on the bridge, driven by the river water, you could get added value for the grain here. Only much later, namely in the 19th century, a small lock was built here, which, however, located in a bend in the river, was rather impractical. So in the thirties the whole thing was torn down in favor of the modern double-chamber lock.
41.
Today a desolate large swath through the city. However, that was not always the case, and the renovation work here, partly in the middle of the street, suggests that this should change. The old streets should be rebuilt, that is also a mantra of the rebuilding of the divided city in the 90s. Because we are touching on some of the important places in old Berlin that can no longer be recognized today: Molkenmarkt, Spittelmarkt. Then the nucleus of the Berlin sister city of Cölln, once surrounded by the town hall and church. Today archaeologists dig for old remains here. In the further course the street was lined with large department stores, today it is more the high-rise buildings on the Fischerinsel. Built in GDR times, they were supposed to alleviate the housing shortage and the poverty in the simple but undamaged fishermen's houses. Shortly before Leipziger Platz we can still see the seat of the Federal Council on the left, the former Prussian mansion, a kind of upper house.
42. Potsdamer Platz
Actually, the right place, which was laid out as an octagon by the soldier king in the 18th century (in contrast to the Karree, the Pariser Platz and the Rondell, today's Mehringplatz), the Leipziger Platz, is located at the end of the street of the same name before the city gate, that led to Potsdam and was therefore also called that. The now more well-known square, the Potsdamer, was already outside and was and is again largely an intersection with lots of traffic. While 100,000 vehicles drove by here every day in the 1920s, the day and night life raged here with amusement restaurants and more. Today the well-known buildings of Mercedes (then Daimler-Chrysler) and the Sony Center are located here, at the beginning of the striking glass tower for the management of Deutsche Bahn. Nearby important hotels (like the Ritz Carlton) and new amusements. That's how it was intended, but it doesn't really want to unfold from the retort, even the Spielbank Berlin wants to leave, the musical is already.
43. Kulturforum
Once built as a counterpart to the Museum Island, not as a contrast; so the planning in the 50s, when people still believed that the halves of the city would soon be reunified. Then, however, buildings such as the Philharmonie (with chamber music hall), New State Library and New National Gallery were built here, which were more than just an addition to the older buildings in the eastern half. In addition to other museums such as the arts and crafts museum and the one for musical instruments, the superbly designed and equipped picture gallery was built in the 1990s. Here you will find all the old masters from Tiziano to Caravaggio to Rembrandt. It is only difficult to find it behind the strangely crooked piazetta. That will now also be covered by a new building that will contain the modern art of the 20th century. Planned by top Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron, the exterior is more reminiscent of a barn, and as always, the city is very divided about it.
44. Landwehrkanal
In addition to the Spree, the Landwehr Canal offers good orientation in the city. In general, Berlin is very much built by and on the water, the groundwater is only 80 cm below us. But over the centuries everything was dammed, drained and put into canals. For this purpose, the Great Elector brought Dutch experts into the country, and Berlin is now criss-crossed by 200 km of waterways. One of these is the Landwehr Canal, conceived and planned by Peter Joseph Lenné, the well-known landscape architect. It had several functions: Abbreviation for the meandering Spree, cargo shipping through the new suburbs of Berlin, which brought the necessary bricks and logs with them, and also drainage of the swampy surrounding area, be it in today's Kreuzberg or in the Tiergarten. If you have the opportunity to take a boat tour, you will find that almost all of the sights can be viewed from the water. Like the Ministry of Defense here.
45.
Here was the OHA, the high command of the army (office) of the Hilter Wehrmacht, after all, everyone had to swear their oath on this man. The beautiful building facing the canal was actually built as the Reichsmarineamt shortly before World War I. Later expanded and supplemented by many courtyards. In the first backyard, Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg was shot dead, next to 3 faithful, after his attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944 had failed. Today the branch of the Ministry of Defense (BMVe) is located here, the headquarters are still located on the Hardthöhe in Bonn. Does the minister stay there often? The building opposite, the so-called Shell building (after a petrol station) has in any case meanwhile also been rented to the BMVe, and so the Berlin - Bonn slide is developing to the disadvantage of the former German capital. The house has now been restored to its original state, a steel and concrete construction by a Bauhaus architect.
46.
On this small street along the zoo there are many important messages - the largest of them in their ancestral buildings, at least in terms of their shell: Italy in a pink palazzo and Japan in a monumental building, crowned by the imperial sun in the gable. These were also the Axis Powers, with which the Hitler Reich was allied and which should therefore be located near the control center in Wilhelmstrasse and Vossstrasse. Behind and around it are the embassies of Austria, India (red Kathmandu stone), South Africa (sand-colored) and Turkey (easy to recognize by the barrier). Greece is just finishing its embassy again, and shortly before the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (CDU) there is still Saudi Arabia with a traditional oriental grid pattern. In between a large building with a huge driveway, which is actually not a real embassy, but just a state representative: Baden-Württemberg, imposing next to Austria.
47.
Here we see a large green band, which should not look green, but copper. But if you artificially "age-t", as happened here, for some it has the impression of GDR plastic. Behind them, in any case, in chic wooden buildings, individually and yet connected (also through a shared canteen, supplied by a Norwegian high-end restaurant in Schöneberg): the 5 Nordic embassies. 5? Yes, one likes to forget the little Iceland.
48. Cafe am Neuen See
Here's a secluded corner of Berlin that no bus can get lost in quickly: it would get stuck. Peter Lenné has created many lakes in this corner of the park, which absorb and bundle the water from the various boggy "rivers" before it drains into the canal. One of the most beautiful beer gardens in the city is located next to it. Berlin does not have as many of these as the southern metropolises, but when they do, they are quite selected and mostly well frequented. Berliners themselves also like to drink their Molle (beer) on the street when the weather permits. Or as a Weg-Bier in the subway ... Here you can also go pedal boating or rent a boat. On the corner here is a big hotel: In the former Norwegian embassy (which is a little further now). However, the Spanish ambassador still resides here around the corner, and there was also a Yugoslav embassy here and that of the Vatican. The latter is now in Neukölln on the Hasenheide.
49. SPA InterContinental
Right here a wide driveway and behind it a large disk-like high-rise with an interesting facade that resembles a chessboard: The Interconti, as they say in Berlin. Originally the only house in (West) Berlin with a presidential suite, and it still meets the highest security standards today. Popularly used by Alert Level 1 customers such as the Israeli Prime Minister or the American President - most recently Bill Clinton. The later American presidents also like to use the Ritz Carlton (Obama) or the Adlon (George W. Bush). The current president did not even want to sleep in Berlin ... By the way, the striking building was built by the Hilton Group before they moved out of East Berlin, which was besieged by the East, in the uncertain 1950s (Cold War). After the fall of the Wall, they weren't too happy to settle in the former East, on the Gendarmenmarkt, and also in a noble prefabricated building built in GDR times ...
50. Aquarium Berlin
It is a pleasure to overlook our beautiful aquarium here with the sandstone-colored plates that depict all kinds of reptiles. But it is one of the largest of its kind, the collection includes far more animals than the Aquaree in the east of the city. Only this is very spectacular, you walk under the initially native aquatic animals until you end up in a South Sea aquarium, through which the hotel lift (it is located in the lobby of the Dom Aquaree Hotel) goes directly.

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Posted By : David M
Gunter gives an informative condensed and very interesting tour around all the important historical and architectural features of Berlin.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-05-09 13:33:36

Posted By : Valery G
What an absolutely wonderful tour! Gunter was an excellent guide and showed us much more than we expected. My grandmother was so happy and we couldn't have asked for anything better!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-04-23 13:30:01

Posted By : Vicki_G
Gunter provided a wonderful tour, complete with historic and amusing facts. It was a great way to see Berlin highlights.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-02-12 08:25:54

Posted By : Tracy_T
I booked this tour for my elderly parents (from Singapore). Our tour guide was responsive and responsible. He took great care of my parents, ensuring that they were comfortable. He was also extremely friendly and sociable. He has a deep knowledge of the city, all the attractions and historical sites. He was also a great photographer and took great photos for my parents. He is very fluent in English.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-01-31 01:45:37

Posted By : JWTraveler2011230492
I had very limited time to see Berlin on my first trip to the city and the private taxi tour was perfect. I got to see so many things in a quick amount of time. Next time when I go back, I have a much better idea of places I might like to see in more depth.
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Posted On : 2022-12-10 10:03:25

Posted By : Loraine_M
Thank you very much! We were picked up on time and had a very informative tour of Berlin. We got to see all the sights and more. We were then taken to the top of a building to take in the view. It was a very foggy day but the tour was very personalised and we really enjoyed it. Being driven around in the warm was just the thing. After the tour Gunter took time out to help us with a train ticket for another trip we had booked for the next day and then to send us some photos which he took of myself and my partner which was very kind and thoughtful. We would definitely recommend. Thank you Gunter.
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Posted On : 2022-12-08 04:06:37

Posted By : Randi_S
Great way to see all of the different areas in Berlin in a very short time. Gunter was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history.
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Posted On : 2022-11-04 14:33:41

Posted By : Linda_M
Gunter is extremely knowledgable of German history. He drove us all around east Germany and gave us a very thorough tour of both older history and WW 1/2 history. He showed us the key spots and took pictures for us which he sent us the same day.
He answered all our questions helpfully. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-10-21 05:34:04

Posted By : Cora_F
Would definitely recommend this experience with Gunter. We were an older group (late 60s) and we thought him to be very helpful, courteous, and a conscientious driver. Gunter is knowledgeable about Berlin and its history. He did a great job engaging our group - it felt like we were hanging out with our very smart and funny friend.
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Posted On : 2022-10-07 19:13:33

Posted By : Johnny_B
Gunther was a very knowledgeable guide who took us to all the important historical & cultural buildings & points of interest in Berlin, which is exactly what we had requested.

Just one thing - we are waiting for him to send the photographs he took of us at the Brandenburg Gate & Palace.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-08-19 02:00:33

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Tickets

Private Taxi Tour City East & West History and Architecture 2-3h

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. Breitscheidplatz

2. Zoo Berlin

3. Theater des Westens

4.

5. Kurfurstendamm

6.

7. Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe)

8.

9.

10. Tiergarten

11. Victory Column (Siegessaule)

12. Bellevue Palace

13. Haus der Kulturen der Welt

14. Reichstag Building

15. Paul-Lobe-Haus

16. Bundeskanzleramt der Bundesregierung

17.

18.

19.

20.

21. Memorial of the Berlin Wall

22.

23. Die Hackeschen Hoefe

24. Stiftung Neue Synagoge Berlin - Centrum Judaicum

25. Friedrichstrasse

26. Friedrichstadt-Palast

27. Berlin Friedrichstrasse Station

28. Unter den Linden

29. Brandenburg Gate

30. Russische Botschaft

31. Gendarmenmarkt

32. Bebelplatz

33. Neue Wache

34. Kronprinzenpalais

35. Deutsches Historisches Museum

36.

37. Alexanderplatz

38. Rotes Rathaus

39. Nicholas Quarter

40.

41.

42. Potsdamer Platz

43. Kulturforum

44. Landwehrkanal

45.

46.

47.

48. Cafe am Neuen See

49. SPA InterContinental

50. Aquarium Berlin

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

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