Wilhelmstrasse 70
10117 Berlin
T: +49 30-20457 0
Berlin was first occupied in the Stone Age but in the 13th
Century it began to grow into a significant trading post for
merchants, particularly in the district which is now called ‘Mitte’.
In 1432 Berlin and Colln merged together to further develop the
growth of the city. During the Thirty Year War Berlin's population
was decimated, but in the mid-17th century the city was reborn
stronger than before under the so-called Great Elector Friedrich
Wilhelm. His vision was the basis of Prussian power, and he
sponsored Jewish and Huguenot refugees seeking asylum and benevolent
rule. His sons took over the legacy and continued to grow status and
development to Berlin, which soon became the capital and most
important city in Germany. The 19th century began on a low note,
with the French occupation of 1806-13, and in 1848 a bourgeois
democratic revolution was suppressed, somewhat stifling the
political development that had been set in motion by the
Enlightenment. The population doubled between 1850 and 1870 as the
Industrial Revolution, spurred on by companies such as Siemens and
Borsig, took hold. In 1871 Bismarck, the Prussian Prime Minister,
united Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm I. The population of Berlin was
almost two million by 1900. After the Industrial Revolution the city
was then affected by WW1 which ended in 1919. WWII was not long to
follow and although there was a large anti-nazi contingent in Berlin
it was not enough to surpress Hitlers intentions. During the battle
of Berlin large areas of the city were destroyed by Allied bombers
from the West and Soviet attacks from the East. The buildings you
see today at Unter den Linden were reconstructed from the ruins. In
August 1945 the Potsdam Conference sealed the fate of the city by
finalising plans for each of the victorious powers - the USA,
Britain, France and the Soviet Union - to occupy a separate zone. In
June 1948 the city was split in two when the three western Allies
introduced a western German currency and established a separate
administration in their sectors. The Soviets then blockaded West
Berlin, but a massive Allied airlift kept the area supplied and
allowed it to resist invasion. In October 1949 East Berlin became
the capital of the GDR. The construction of the Berlin Wall in
August 1961 stopped the drain of skilled labour to the West. On 9
November 1989 the Berlin Wall opened, and on 1 July 1990 the Wall
was being hacked to pieces. The Unification Treaty between the two
Germanys designated Berlin the official capital of Germany, and in
June 1991 the Bundestag voted to move the seat of government from
Bonn to Berlin over the next decade. A huge consortium of public and
private organizations was charged with constructing the heart of a
metropolis from scratch. As a result the 1990s saw a ballet of
cranes revitalizing Potsdamer Platz, with a new urban district
anchored by Daimler City and the Sony Centre completed in 1998 and
2000, respectively. In April 1999 the revamped Reichstag reopened
and hosted the unified Germany's parliament, and Berlin was again
officially the capital of Germany.
Berlin is certainly high on the list of Top City break
destinations to visit in Europe. Treat yourselves to a long romantic
break and soak up the unique atmosphere and spirit of the people.
The only way to truly discover Germany’s fascinating history,
culture and general way of life is to book a citybreak holiday
there. Contact the Germany Travel professionals or browse through
our on-line Berlin city break deals and luxury weekend breaks
packages. Enjoy our passionate and professional holiday services
that include: Atol protected flights, private car transfers, great
hotel prices, city tours and guides.
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