In those four days I was in Berlin, I turned the Mitte district on foot far and wide, and I would like to offer you an alternative way of seeing this European capital.
Getting around it by public transport is certainly simple and fast, but visiting it on foot gives you the opportunity to see glimpses and sides that would otherwise not be noticed. Ready? Beware that I make you walk!
ALEXANDERPLATZ
We start from Alexanderplatz, a modern square, famous for the very high television tower, where in summer it is possible to practice bangee jumping. Once it was a cattle market, but now it is one of the most evolved areas of Berlin, you can get lost in the shops of the Galeria Kaufhof, but beware of your wallet, because it is definitely not a low cost place.
HACKESCHER MARKT
I mentioned something about this square in the previous article, talking about the complex of buildings and internal courtyards, known by the name of Hackesche Höfe. The square is not very big but it is worth spending a few minutes, especially if you come here on Thursdays and Saturdays when it fills up with stalls of all kinds.
MUSEUMSINSEL - THE ISLAND OF MUSEUMS
Crossing the Monbijoupark, a park of about three and a half hectares that during the summer is colored by young people, you reach the Spree, the river that crosses Berlin. Right on the other side stands the Bode-Museum, which is part of a complex called the Museum Island. The Mseumsinsel consists of four other museums: the Pergamonmuseum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie and the Altes Museum.
BERLINER DOM - BERLIN CATHEDRAL
Leaving the Museumsinsel behind us, we continue on foot along Bodestraße and we follow, then, to Am Lustgarten, finding on our left the Berlin Cathedral. Thick walls, strong character, I personally liked it very much! One of its sides overlooks Unter den Linden, and that's where we need to go!
UNTER DEN LINDEN - UNDER THE TIGLI
The English translation is undoubtedly more romantic than the German name. We continue our walking itinerary leaving the cathedral behind us, this large avenue will take us to the Brandenburg Gate, along the way we will find a series of buildings to dwell on (in order of appearance):
- Kronprinzenpalais: literally, the Hereditary Prince's Palace, in fact it took its name from those who lived there, that is to say the heirs to the throne.
- Neue Wache: neoclassical building, built by Frederick William III of Prussia, in memory of the German soldiers who died in the war against Napoleon.
- Staatsoper: State Opera House, wonderful in the evening when the facade is illuminated by lights
- The Russian embassy: big and beautiful! From the golden gate and the tall gates. It almost feels like being in a movie.
- Brandeburger Tor: other is none other than the Brandburg Gate, located between the Mitte and Tiergarten districts.
At this point you can cross the gate and turn right, where you will find the building of Parliament it can be visited, upon reservation, for free, or turn left and continue with our walking itinerary!
DENKMAL FÜR DIE ERMORDETEN JUDEN EUROPAS - JEWS MEMORIAL
Undoubtedly, it is a glance. A field of stems, accessible in all its sides. I went there and I recommend that you do it too. The stems are of different heights, and unfold in non-linear paths, in fact there is no risk of getting lost being a sort of grid, but the path has several ups and downs. It is the work of a New York architect, the gravestones are 2771, and remind the world of a terrible story, so that it will never be forgotten.
POSTDAMER PLATZ
Continuing in the same direction you arrive at Potsdamer Platz, it represents the New Berlin, it can be said, modern and the other glass skyscrapers. Here we are slightly outside the Mitte district, though it is worth a visit, especially in the evening, when the buildings are illuminated and the windows create a wonderful play of light.
At this point the our walking tour to Mitte is over, it's up to you to decide whether to take a vehicle to go back, or whether to continue, perhaps for a parallel and return to Alexanderplatz from where we started! I swear I did it all on foot, but perhaps because I was afraid of getting lost with the means of transport!
