Berlin History & German Language

Battlefield and History Tours recommends the following:

• Berliner Gruselkabinett: Built in 1943, it is the only WW2 air shelter open in Berlin. A Chamber of Horrors on the upper floor, gruesome medical scenes from past centuries on the ground floor and the air-raid shelter in the basement. It was originally meant to connect to an underground supply rail, but it did not see much action as the war ended a few years later.
• The Holland Quarter in Potsdam: There are over one hundred gabled red-brick houses built by Dutch builders for immigrants from Holland invited to work in Potsdam by King Friedrich Wilhelm I. This is a very attractive quarter of Potsdam and there are many restaurants and cafes for a lunch stop.
• Olympic Stadium: The Olympic Stadium was constructed from 1935–36 to plans by the architect Werner March as the central building of the Reich sports field for the 1936 Olympic Games. Stadium tours or visit the observation tower.
• Alliierten-Museum: This is in the former US Army ‘Outpost’ movie theatre and tells the role of the Western Allies (USA, Britain & France) in the post-war period (especially the Berlin Airlift) and the life of the Allied troops in Berlin.
• Self-guided walking tour: Starting at Berliner Dom, book burning site, Unter den Linden, Fuhrerbunker, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Jewish/Holocaust memorial, Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus (Former Air Ministry building), Topography of terror / Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie.
• Wall Memorial and Wall Documentation Centre: The Wall Memorial and Wall Documentation Centre offers a comprehensive glimpse into the history connected with the Berlin Wall. Through exhibits, artifacts, and documentation, it provides insight into the division, struggles, and ultimate reunification of the city during the Cold War era.
• Sachsenhausen Memorial & Museum: Built in 1936 shortly after Heinrich Himmler's appointment as head of the SS. More than 200,000 people were imprisoned here between 1936 and 1945, tens of thousands died of starvation, disease, forced labour or mistreatment. The camp was liberated by the Red Army in 1945.
• East Side Gallery: is a section of the Inner Berlin Wall running along the banks of the River Spree which is the longest continuous section of wall in existence as well as being the longest open-air gallery in the world. It is 1316 metres long and has more than a hundred paintings commenting on the political changes in 1989/1990. Most popular works are Dmitri Vrubel’s Fraternal Kiss and Birgit Kinder’s Trabant breaking through the wall.
• The Reichstag: is an internationally recognisable symbol of democracy and the current home of the German parliament. It is not only an architectural wonder and a historical testimony, but it also plays an important role where political decisions are made, and it offers an amazing panoramic view of Berlin. It is open until midnight (last admission time 22:00). Admission is free but advance registration is required.
• The Fernsehturm (TV Tower): is close to Alexanderplatz. The tower was constructed between 1965 and 1969 by the GDR – German Democratic Republic, as a symbol of Communist power and of Berlin. It is the tallest structure in Germany and second tallest in the European Union standing 368 meters tall (including antenna). It is open until Midnight.
• Topography of Terror: The exhibition consists of noticeboards with photographs with English texts giving the sites of the most important Gestapo & SS buildings. This exhibition shows how massive a machine the Nazi organization became. The cellars of the Gestapo HQ were underground. Individual audio guides are available.
• New Jewish Synagogue: The centre is in Oranienburger Strasse, which was at the heart of Berlin’s main Jewish Quarter before the war. The synagogue was built in mock Moorish style in 1866. There are two exhibitions, one on the history & restoration of the synagogue and the other on the Jewish life and culture that were once found in the surrounding area.‍
• DDR Museum: The museum located in the former East Germany. It houses an exhibition which depicts what life was like for the citizens in East Berlin during communist occupation.‍
• Wannsee Conference villa: is where the fate of European Jewry was decided. The exhibition shows the entire process of the Holocaust from segregation and persecution to the deportation and eventual murder of Jews from Germany and the occupied countries. There is an English language translation of the exhibits available from the ticket desk. The area around the Wannsee Villa is very beautiful and it is situated on a lake.‍
• Stasimuseum: Located in House 1 on the former grounds of the headquarters of the GDR Ministry for State Security (MfS). The building was erected in 1960-61 as the offices of Erich Mielke, who served as Minister for State Security from 1957 until the end of the GDR. English guides are available, and the visit lasts approx. one and a half hours.‍
• The Story of Berlin: Walk through 800 years of Berlin History from the 13th century to German reunification in the 1990's. Learn how citizens lived through two World Wars and see the difference between life in the East and West during the communist era. End the visit with a guided tour of Berlin's largest nuclear bunker built in the 1970's.‍
• Berlin-Hohenschonhausen Memorial Foundation: Close to Landsberger Allee (entrance free for school groups). Guided tours can be arranged if booked in advance. Since 1945 this has been the central place of detention for political prisoners in the Soviet Occupation Zone & the GDR. Former political prisoners explain the history and show visitors around.‍
• The Jewish Museum: Opened in 2001, it is the largest Jewish Museum in Europe presenting the history of Jews in Germany through the Middle Ages to present day. Experience a full insight into Jewish culture and religion: What is sacred? What happens on the Shabbat? What is the sound of Judaism?
  

Other variations on numbers and duration available plus day trips available on Request.