Berlin ALEXANDERPLATZ

At present, Alexanderplatz is known to be a huge public square and transportation center, but behind the centre’s modern and busy flair comes a rich history. Formerly called Ochsenmarkt or ox market, it was renamed Alexanderplatz in regard to a visit of the Russian Emperor Alexander to Berlin on October25, 1805. The Peaceful Revolution of 1989 on November 4th held in Alexanderplatz was by far the biggest demonstration in the history of East Germany.

Alexanderplatz station, one of the busiest transportation hubs in Berlin, opened on February7, 1882. In 1904, Hermann Tietz opened one of his ten luxurious department stores in the area. The U-Bahn station U2 line opened later on July 1, 1913. These developments made the "Alex" a major commercial centre that triggered the flow of people in the region.

During the Second World War, most buildings were destroyed by bombings, but after the war it became the centre of East Berlin and was fashioned and redeveloped by the German Democratic Republic into a pedestrian area. Alex became home to the famous "Hotel Stadt Berlin", today called "Park Inn Berlin". It is the tallest building and the eleventh tallest structure in Berlin als well as the 29th tallest building and tallest hotel building in Germany.

The "Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft" - Fountain of Friendship amongst Peoples and "Weltzeituhr" - World Time Clock by Erich John were erected in 1969, favored by most pedestrians and tourists as an attraction and a well-liked site. Hermann Henselmann's "Haus des Lehrers" or house of teachers can also be found in the vicinity.

The Berliner Zeitungcenter left daily newspaper which was founded in 1945 and published by Berliner Verlag and the Fernsehturm TV Tower (some call it TV-Spargeous) can also found on the "Alex". The Fernsehturm is known to be one of the largest structures in Europe. It was constructed in 1969 with a total length of 365 meters or 1,197 feet. It holds a sphere with a rotating restaurant or Telecafé at 207meters and a viewing deck at a height of 203meters.

A lot of visitors come to Alexanderplatz for its department stores especially upon the reconstruction of the Galeria Kaufhof in 1994, the Alexa shopping mall which opened on September 12th, 2007, and the large SaturnElectronic Store which was built and openedfor the public in Alexanderplatz since 2008.

Alexanderplatz is also a great location for Berlin Sightseeing: Several historic buildings are also placed in the locality of Alexanderplatz. The "Rotes Rathaus" or Red City Hall can be found in Mitte District on Rathausstraße. It is the town hall of Berlin and home to the governing mayor and the Senate of Berlin of the Federal state of Berlin. The "Palast der Republik" or The Palace of the Republic was constructed from 1973 to 1976 - then it was demolished beginning in 2006. In November 2008, the Italian architect Francesco Stella was chosen to reconstruct the Baroque Stadtschloss and it will be called the Humboldtforum. It will hold the Humboldt collection and gallery of non-European art.

Alexanderplats is truly a wonderful place to visit in Berlin. Not only is it historically relevant, it is also a fast developing area that holds much more promise.