Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the oldest cities in Europe. I’ve never visited the country but I would like to one day. Germany hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup. There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about Berlin, but today my aim is to change that.
Here are 11 Interesting facts you might not know about Berlin
1. The earliest evidence of settlements in the area is a wooden beam dated from approximately 1192.
2. Berlin is Germany’s largest city with a population of 3.8 million. The Berlin metropolitan area has a population of 6.1 million. It’s the most populous city and the 8th most populous urban area in the European Union.
3. The Berliner Fernsehturm is the highest structure in the city. It’s 368 meters (1207 feet) high and has an observation platform at 203 meters.
4. The Nikolaikirche (a church building) is one of the oldest buildings in the city and dates back to the 13th / 14th century.
5. The Berlin Wall was built by East Germany in 1961 and existed till it was completely demolished in 1989. More than 5,000 people tried crossing it in this period.
6. Construction on the world famous Brandenburg Gate was completed in 1791. This structure functioned as a border post between East and West Germany when Germany was still divided.
7. The Siegessaule (Victory Column) is a major tourist attraction in the city. The bronze statue of Victoria on this structure was designed by Friederich Drake and is 8.3m high. The monument was built between 1864 and 1873 and designed by Heinrich Strack.
8. The original Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was built in the 1890s. It was damaged badly during a bombing raid in World War 2 in 1943. The church was restored between 1959 and 1963.
9. More than 7.5 million tourists visited the city in 2007.
10. There are 170 museums that can be visited by visitors.
11. Berlin proudly showcases the East Side Gallery, a remarkable tribute to art and history. Stretching 1,316 meters, it is the world’s longest open-air gallery and preserves the most extensive remaining section of the Berlin Wall. Created in 1990 by 118 artists from 21 countries, the gallery features 106 distinct artworks.
Among them, the iconic “Fraternal Kiss” mural, portraying Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and GDR’s Erich Honecker, is the most photographed. Located in the heart of Friedrichshain, the East Side Gallery draws up to 3 million visitors each year, offering a vibrant and unforgettable experience.
Well, there you have it, 11 interesting facts that you might not have known about Berlin. If there’s something I missed, feel free to comment below.
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