Berlin Mitte is the historical heart of Berlin and represents in many ways the real centre of the city. It doesn't matter really where you go to in Mitte. It's all one huge tourist centre made up of innumerable points of interest. Nearly all the buildings and places you see in tourist guides and flyers are located in Mitte, as are most of the political institutions and also many media companies.
The area around Unter den Linden is Berlin's primary boulevard and represents the very core of the central Berlin Mitte district.
It's here, where it all started out in the 13th century with the union of the two little villages of Berlin and Cölln. The two settlements originated along an old trade route, the Mühlendamm (Mills Dam) where the river Spree could be easily crossed. Old Berlin today is the Nikolaiviertel and old Cölln (nothing to do with the German city of Köln, translating into Cologne) was located at Museumsinsel.
What to see:
Brandenburg GateAccording to the city's official website, this is Berlin's most famous landmark. It was built over 200 years ago and is now the only remaining city gate in the country, being seen as a symbol of the division of the city and the country until the removal of the nearby Berlin Wall in 1989.
Reichstag buildingLocated just a stone's throw away from the Brandenburg Gate and was first built in 1894, before recently being altered to plans drawn up by the British architect Sir Norman Foster. It is the seat of the German Parliament.
Former SS headquarters and the Holocaust MemorialThose wanting to learn more about the history of Berlin may also wish to visit this memorial which offers a harrowing insight into the second world war.
Alter Jüdischer Friedhof (Old Jewish Cemetery)Große Hamburger Straße 26-27, 10115 Berlin
Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral)Am Lustgarten 1, 10178 Berlin, Opening Hours: Mon - Sat: 9 am to 7 pm, Sun: 12 am to 7 pm
AlexanderplatzCentral square in the dirstric Mitte which was named in honour of Alexander I (Tsar of Russia). The "Teletower" is located on this square as well as the "Fountain of Friendship amongst Peoples" and the "World Time Clock", which is often used as a central meeting point.
Fernsehturm (Televison Tower)The television tower is located at the Alexanderplatz and its nickname is "Telespargel" (television-asparagus). A huge monument to somewhat tacky 20th-century culture dominates the sweeping, open square. This 368-meter high metal vegetable (it's a TV tower) sprouted from the concrete in the years 1965-69. During certain times of day, sunlight reflecting from the top caused a large cross-shaped light to shine down on the city.
Marienkirche (Church of St. Mary)Next to the Fernsehturm you can find the gothic Marienkirche, the second oldest church (built in the late 13th century) of the historical centre of Berlin. It's the highest church tower of Berlin (about 90 m), but seems rather small next the gigantic TV tower. The church tower was built in the late 18th century by Carl Gotthard Langhans, the architect of the Brandenburg Gate.
