Berlin: A General History Experience - Half-Day Tour

Do the stories of Berlin - the city of Prussian order and progress, of the Republic of Weimar's disorder and unrest, of Nazi violence and destruction, of the physical and mental division established by the wall - fit into a single narrative? Let's answer this question by walking and talking on the streets of Berlin. And let's think and explore with our senses what made and still makes Berlin a city of change and conflict, of destruction and creation. Let's see and imagine the city's struggle for freedom (with the revolutionaries in 1848) and the imposition of authority (with the first unification of Germany in 1871) Let's understand what led Berlin to be the center of racial, genocidal imperialism (from 1933); and then to be cut (in 1961) into two different worlds -West and East - separated by a "death strip". Let's recall the fall of the wall and the rise of a new, creative, unified but never homogeneous Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate – An introduction to the Prussian mentality. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – A space to reflect on the destruction of Europe’s "minority par excellence." Site of Hitler's Bunker – Was Hitler merely a madman who manipulated the masses for power? Not exactly. Let's try to understand his - unreasonable - "reasons." Ministry of Aviation – One of the few Nazi buildings still standing in Berlin today. We will discuss why that is. The Berlin Wall – How the city was divided, both physically and ideologically. Checkpoint Charlie – One of the "warmest" locations of the Cold War. Gendarmenmarkt – The birthplace of Berlin’s multiculturalism. Bebelplatz – Where students once read books, and later burned them. Humboldt University – thinkers and poets, or judges and hangmen? I am more than willing to customize this tour according to your preferences. Please contact me to create a personalized itinerary.