- Reichstag Building - Stand before the “Reichstag” (Parliament House) and grasp the reasons behind the end of the Weimar Republic in 1933. We’ll delve into the challenging 14 years of democracy that bridged an empire and a dictatorship. Your guide will provide a concise overview of German history from 1871 to 1999 in front of this stunning example of Prussian architecture. Built far from the emperor’s palace, it hosted 14 unstable years of the first republic, was destroyed by fire in 1933, stood meaningless during the Cold War, and now serves as the parliament of a reunified Germany. Observe the transparent glass dome where you can literally watch the parliament members. See today’s democracy as a lesson from a troubled past. We will not enter the building but will enjoy a spectacular frontal view.
- Soviet War Memorial Tiergarten - Visit the Soviet war memorial in the former British sector. We’ll discuss this impressive monument and its ongoing historical significance, as well as the complexities of post-Soviet remembrance culture in today’s world. The site is outdoors.
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe - The tour continues to the poignant “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.” We’ll provide more details about this horrific crime against humanity and explain why it is crucial to maintain awareness with such a significant monument in the heart of the city.
- Brandenburg Gate - Next, we visit the Brandenburg Gate, the national symbol of Germany. Learn about the historic events that took place here and hear one of the many stories about why the Berlin Wall fell.
- Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus - We proceed to one of the few remaining buildings from the Nazi era in Berlin. Discover the messages conveyed by the Nazi propaganda machine through its architecture. Explore how this building became a symbol of the socialist transition to dictatorship and hear how its architecture still impacts us today.
- Topography of Terror - Visit the former headquarters where the Holocaust was orchestrated. At the same location, see one of the three remaining sections of the Berlin Wall. We’ll explain Berlin’s unique situation and how the city was divided overnight. Hear about a daring escape story and discuss how cars symbolized the poor economy of socialist Germany.
- Checkpoint Charlie - See where the Cold War nearly escalated into World War III, with Soviet and US tanks facing off just 100 meters apart. Understand how close we came to nuclear catastrophe.
- Short handout with more information about Berlin and tour topics
We will have a thrilling walk through Berlin’s traces from the 20th century. Let us tell you the story of Evi, born in 1908 during the German Empire, who lived until 1993 in a reunified Germany. She experienced five different systems: the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, the horrific Nazi dictatorship including the Battle of Berlin, the Socialist dictatorship, and the reunified Federal Republic of Germany. Witness the visible marks of world history in Germany’s capital, Berlin. Learn about the national anthem “revived from ruins.” See how this country strives to remember Prussia’s “Shine and Glory” while also acknowledging all the crimes against humanity. Observe imperial architecture combined with modern avant-garde, a Nazi showcase building next to socialist brutalism. You are more than welcome to ask our guide questions—the more, the better. This tour is designed from a German perspective. Understand the national identity of today’s Germany with this historical background.
- The remaining hours for the duration is for walking between two sites.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
