Alexanderplatz
The Rough Charm of the City
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Picture 2: Around the fountain of the "Völkerfreundschaft" on the right the "Haus des Lehrers". Large picture
© BTM / Koch |
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Alexanderplatz is Berlin's most famous square. Originally, this square lay just beyond the gates to the city. Around 1700 it was the site of a livestock market, earning it the name Ochsenplatz or "Oxen Square". Later, it was also used as a wool market and as a parade ground. It received its current name on the occasion of the visit of Czar Alexander I. in 1805. At the turn of last century, "Alex" gradually lost its marketplace character, and, with the establishment of a regional train station there in 1882, it became an important transport intersection. The square which Alfred Döblin immortalized in his novel "Berlin Alexanderplatz" (1929) was almost completely destroyed in the war. Its present appearance dates from the construction of the East German city center from 1966-71. This included the former Centrum department store, the Alex Passages which connected with it, the 123m-high hotel building, and the »Fernsehturm (TV Tower) which dominates the square. The square is also home to the World Time Clock, and the Fountain of International Friendship, both of which were erected in 1969. In the nearby recently opened shopping mall ALEXA visitors will find a BERLIN infostore. An exhibition to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 2009 turns the Alexanderplatz into a large open air gallery: "Friedliche Revolution 1989/90" (Peaceful Revolution 1989/90) recollects the dramatic events around 1989, presents bone-headed politicans, protesting people and mass demonstrations, which also took place at this very site. The exhibition is in English and German and can be visited until November 14. 24 hours a day, admission free. |
| Alexanderplatz |
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Alexanderplatz 10178 Berlin-Mitte |
| Getting there |
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Alexanderplatz: S5, S7, S75, S9 U2, U5, U8 100, 200, 248
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