Top three unmissable places to visit in Berlin
Berlin is a city where anything is possible. The city that has something for everyone, whether you like museums and history, shopping or art there is something for you to do in the German Capital. We have chosen three unmissable places you should visit during your Half Marathon stay:
1. Botanischer Garten & Botanisches Museum
The Botanical Garden was landscaped at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, it is home to 18,000 plant species, 16 greenhouses and a museum. The botanical gardens make for a pleasant stroll ‘around the world’ with its biodiversity designed to have the whole world in one place. The garten is also home to the only museum in Europe that is dedicated to flora and preserving its cultural and natural history for future generations. The garten also is home to a scientific research centre that analyses the diversity of plants whose work is world renowned for discoveries into DNA and evolution.
2. The Brandenburg Gate
Perhaps the most iconic structure in all of Germany, this 18th-century neoclassical monument dates all the way back to 1788. It stands on the site of a former city gate, that marked the start of the road from Berlin to Brandenburg an der Havel. The gate has been the site of many major historical events. In recent years the gate has been a symbol of hope, unity, and peace, far removed from its tumultuous past.
Although the gate survived the mass destruction of WW2, it was badly damaged. The columns were riddled with bullet holes and only one of the horse’s head from the original quadriga survived. It is now kept in the collection at the Märkisches Museum.
3. Reichstag
Home of the German parliament, the Reichstag is one of the most distinguishable buildings in world politics. Completed in 1894, the Reichstag was designed by German architect Paul Wallot, and styled after Memorial Hall in Philadelphia. After the turbulent start to the 20th Century; the Reichstag stood in ruin by the end of the Second World War. It was decided the Reichstag should be restored in 1956. The official reunification ceremony was held at the Reichstag building, once again strengthening its place at the heart of German politics.
Among the most popular reasons to visit, is the view from the huge glass dome on the roof. The Reichstag is now the second most visited attraction in Germany. Designed by Norman Foster, the dome harks back to the cupola, that originally featured on the Reichstag before the war. The huge glass dome offers an incredible 360 degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape. The dome is open to the public, and the debating chamber of the German parliament can be seen below. An environmentally friendly and energy economical design, the dome has a mirrored cone at its center. This cone directs sunlight into the building, reducing the need for electric lighting.
