Berlin in Berlin

‘Order in Chaos, Chaos in Order’

This is how I can define Berlin in one sentence.

9 November 1989 was the time that Berlin Wall falled. The wall was not the only one was collapsed but also the old world. Eastern Germans were not the only one who were liberated but also the world.

The Fall of Berlin Wall was the symbol of freedom. Therefore, Berlin should have been the place comes to mind when anyone thinks about the Freedom. German government thought exactly the same and invested million of marks/euros to make Berlin the freedom capital of the world. From art to entertainment; from entertainment to business… Freedom would mean Berlin.

After years, Berlin adapted this identity more and more. It wasn’t anymore the capital of Germany but capital of the world like Paris once. It started to welcome every kind of alternative life style, every kind of art, every kind of culture.

A small note:

You should know that; if you are looking for the footprints of Medici’s wealth, kingdom’s richness or assets coming from South American or African colonies; Berlin might not satisfy you. Because Berlin is not a place that you will fall in love at first time and take thousand of selfies. Instead, it is a place that you can get lost in it, experince it and you will feel connected every step you take. If you are the one who admire modern art, near history and sub-cultures(underground culture), you cannot leave Berlin easy.

Art, Culture, History and the Atmosphere

There are 2 things you may notice with first step in Berlin, actually three things..

The first one is foreign languages. Dominantly, Turkish and English.

As a Turkish traveler, many times I asked questions in German or English but the response was ‘ Why don’t you ask in Turkey’.

Second thing is the TV Tower that is located closed to Alexandreplatz, which was used as animal market in the history and know it is kind of the heart of the city. It is the tallest building in Germany and the 4th tallest unsupported building in Europe. It was build as a symbol of the city in GDR Period.

The ugliness and coldness of this tall structure is of course coming from Soviet Union however the height brings it some beauty as well.

On the top of the tower, there is a spinning restaurant which completes one complete round in 30 minutes. For the one who likes panoramic view, it is the perfect place that you can see whole city and if you are a bit more lucky to see clear weather, even 42 kilometers away is possible to observe.

I told that 3 things you noticed at the first time. I think the 3rd one is noticed from mostly Germans and Western Europeans that the city is in mess. Like most of the metropolis, it is dirty but there is a certain order in this mess. It is even surprising that how the mess and order can be balanced that good. Personally, I like the rebellious atmosphere of the city.

Like one friend said, you smell the Eastern Europe.

When you sneak into the city more, you get this smell from near history. Although, Brandenburg Gate, The Cathedral of Berlin, other churches around, surrounding historical buildings, Museum Island try to drag you to the past; on the other hand the Parliament describes Berlin pretty well. On one side, a modern city with full of life and on the other side rich history with a lot pain.

Let’s continue to near history.

In Berlin, many stories, illustrations, ruins and traces from WW2 and Cold War Period is expected. Traces are not just physical but also psychological and political. These are exactly why you should definitely visit Berlin because there are a lot to learn, a lot take lessons for better future.

I think that experiencing, witnessing what happened 50–60 years before, observing and feeling its influences today is more interesting for me rather than events from hundred years ago, bohemian life of Kings, tribes that slaughtering each other. (of course these have also strong influences on today’s society)

That is why I recommend any traveler to take a free walking tours in Berlin and learn different interesting stories.

I told you. Berlin is getting better and more interesting when you discover it more. Museum are a must to discover in Berlin. There are a lot of them. Really a lot… 170 museums for history, art and science.

The most famous one is the museum Island which includes 5 muesums: Old Museum, New Museum, Bode Museum, Old National Gallery and The Pergamon museum.

Pergamon Museum makes me feel weird mostly. Because I have visited its sibling in Athens(Acropolis) and original place in Turkey (Bergama). In Turkey, it was sad to see a big tree instead of the Pergamon Altar.

What else can I say about Museum Island?

You can find many collections from all over the world. From Egypt to India, from India to China, China to ancient Greek, Greek to Rome, Rome to Islamic World….

Similar diversification applies also for modern art. Berlin’s alternative and free soul impacts many artists from all over the world. Especially in last 10-15 years, many artists are moving in Berlin. It doesn’t matter if they are famous in their country. Berlin offers them a chance to open doors to the world. Therefore, it is possible to see many artists, modern art galleries, exhibitions and performances. Even on the buildings, on the street, you can see the foot prints of these artists.

Berlin is one of the city that one can express opinions, feelings and thoughts freely.

Apart from this, there are also countles other places like sausage museum, unheard stories museum, medical history museum, nature museum, botanic garden, old cemeteries, monuments, academical modern architecture samples, opera houses, abandoned buildings, open air museums from WW2.

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Sausage Museum is a museum contains everything about hot dog(curry wurst). Here, you can learn the best curry wurst places in Germany and in the world, which sauce fits better with which sausage, what is the best spicy. Furthermore, you can learn the history of hot dog.

In one part of the museum, a cardboard package process for curry wurst is illustrated. On the time line, it is also seen that how our eating habit was changed in last 5000 years, how fast food took place in our life. Finally, the movie scenes with hot dog is shown.

I told about this because hot dog museum was needed an explanation. When I heard it, I couldn’t imagine how it could be.

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Gastronomy

Sausage talks were good point to slide into Gastronomy Culture. As in art, Berlin offers wide variety of foods from different culture. Carnivorous or vegan, it is impossible to stay hungry in Berlin.

However, the most dominant food is Turkish Döner. You can find a döner shop almost at every corner. If you hear from anyone that Döner was invented in Germanz by German-Turkish. Please show them the video below from 1920s Istanbul:

The food is over and it is time for a pre-drink. Beer Gardens are the most traditional and popular way to drink in Germany. Its history lies till 19th Century. Here you can find traditional foods, local beers and/or also the commercial ones.

Beer gardens are actually a place for comfort(Gemütlichkeit in German), relaxation and peace which starts to serve and get full afternoon.

If you want to go to usual pub, meet people, start to night out; there are also plenty of unique pubs or other bars to feel the spirit of Goa, Kadiköy, Havana, Dublin. Terrace, dimmed light, underground, overground… You can always find something for yourself. It is also the same for cafes.

Especially on the Neukölln and Kreuzberg districts, it is possible to find many alternatives. Other alternatives to Beer Garden and these bars are parks, river sides and everywhere else on street(in Summer). I like it in Germany that it is not forbidden to drink in public. I can recommend Admiral Bridge which is like open air Bar/Cafe that you can enjoy your beer, listen some music and meet people.

Events

There is no need anymore to mention diversity. Many famous singers, artists start their Europe Tour from Berlin. Many artists, singers, actors, actresses are performing in Berlin to be internationally known. Therefore, there are thousands of events in different languages like German, English, Turkish, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French and more. It depends on time of course but Berlin offers many networking events, workshops, concerts, festivals and exhibitions.

Night Life

It is wild.

We already told what makes Berlin ‘Berlin’ is freedom. That freedom shows itself also in night life. That explains why government invested a lot to night life after the wall falled. Like freedom, Berlin should come to your mind when you think about night life.

Although there is domination of Techno and EDM, it is possible to find plenty of alternatives here too. You can find anything in Berlin according to your wishes, age, fantasy and interest. It would be fair to say ‘limitless’ for Berlin’s night life. This limitlessness is sometimes even beyond the limitlessness that anyone can imagine. It is even possible that you won’t be allowed in a place because of your attitude, clothing, style, aora, look, posture or being not Berliner enough.

The night life of Berlin will never end by telling it. It is needed to be experienced. Because everybody has their own unique and subjective experience. What all can say is, night it never ends in Berlin.

Nature

You might have a party for days and need a place to chill or you just look for some silence from the crowd and the city… Then Berlin offers you again more than you expect.

It is the 8th most environmental capital of Europe with %46 of green area after Copenhagen, Stocholm, Oslo, Vienna, Amsterdam, Zurich and Helsinki.

It takes maximum 10 minutes to find a green spot that you can lay down, exercise or rest. When you go a bit further from the inner circle of the city, there are more options with forests, parks, lakes that you can swim or do water sports.

Just a warning… Some of this peaceful areas in the morning can turn into a welcoming house for illegal parties at night. Therefore, when you want to sit and lay down under a tree, think twice and be aware where you are.