Comprehensive guide to Berlin, Germany

Modern Berlin undergoes rapid changes, revealing its new faces on the day-to-day basis. This fascinating city attracts visitors with its unique atmosphere, richness of museums (for instance Pergamon Museum, National Gallery or Historical Museum) and historic monuments.
Surprisingly, Berlin's History is relatively short despite the fact that the city itself was launched nearly 800 years ago.
Berlin originated from two merchant towns: Berlin und C? situated on the Spree River. Due to their advantageous location - on the main medieval trading routes junction, both cities became prosperous with booming economies and promising future prospects. However, only after 400 years, in 1709 they decided to unite forming Berlin as a one legal entity. The real turning point came in 1871, when Prussian Prime Minister - Otto von Bismarck founded the German Empire with Berlin destined for its capital. From that time on, Berlin has gained in importance and embarked upon high-speed, industrial development.
The First World War put a sudden halt on these developments. After Germany's defeat, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated and on 9 November 1918 was announced the Republic. In 1920, Berlin merged with seven surrounding towns, and other neighbouring villages to form so called "Greater Berlin". During that time the city became the cultural and spiritual centre of worldwide importance. Here lived and contributed to Berlin's success such famous personalities as Nobel Prize Winners: Fritz Haber, Albert Einstein or great writers like: Bertolt Brecht, Carl von Ossietzky and Arnold Zweig. Also theatres, cabarets and open-air performances experienced real boom - all those places were full of audience. Unfortunately, the economic and social situation fell out of control and the country was on the brink of collapse with galloping inflation and instable political system. As a direct consequence, in response to fast-growing radicalism and overwhelming frustration, on 30 January 1933, Adolf Hitler - National Socialistic Party?s candidate was chosen to become State Chancellor. Soon after the Nazis overtook the power a wave of terror and oppressions against ideological opponents began. The Second World War started and ended in Berlin. The city itself suffered enormous losses - more then 600,000 flats were completely smashed and the number of inhabitants who managed to survive amounted to 2.8 million (in 1939 the capital?s population was 4.3 million). After German's defeat, four triumphant Allied Powers: the USA, the Soviet Union, Britain and France took over the control. Governing Berlin effectively required however its partition into 4 zones, each supervised by the different occupying state. The growing disagreement and tension over the spheres of influence between the Soviet and Western Block disrupted this cooperation and the period of the "Cold War" began. Dramatic situation in East Berlin - starvation and isolation of its inhabitants, was a main reason for prompt reaction of the Truman administration to open "Airlift". In 1949 two independent German states were founded: German Democratic Republic (GDR - East Berlin) with capital in Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG - West Berlin) with its capital in Bonn. On 13 August 1961, East Berlin officials (Soviet Union) undertook military measures to prevent the growing number of refugees from GDR to the FRG from passing the border. Erection of the Wall was a real shock and drama for all Berliners who suddenly became separated from their relatives and friends. According to some sources almost 100 people were killed while trying to cross the Wall. Time of division meant obviously totally different economic conditions with centrally planned concept on the East and open, competitive market concept on the West. The first steps towards reunification were made after Erich Honecker stepped down, in October, 1989 - on November 9, 1989 all travel restrictions for East German were finally withdrawn and Berlin Wall fell, on December, 22 the Brandenburg Gate was re-opened and on October 3, 1990 five re-established German states officially joined FRG. After initial spontaneous outburst of joy and happiness it became obvious to everyone that the cost for the reunification would be a huge burden for German economy and thus for each individual. Discrepancies, although diminishing are still to be observed - east states face real social and economic challenges such as: high unemployment rate and exodus of people to the west. The picture of modern Berlin is not so homogenous as well but it makes this city unique and much more attractive even for a seasoned visitor.