Since Jan 01, 2000: District Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
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The city-trains S3, S5, S7 and S9 traverses Charlottenburg from Zoo station to the fairground, U2, U9 and ring train (S41/42) are also part of the public transport net. North of the fair grounds (ICC) there is the central bus station (ZOB). Tegel airport neighbours the district in the North.
Further information: Bezirksamt Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
It was not only Charlottenburg's location which made it the centre of West Berlin after the city was divided. Zoo station, the International Congress Center and a strip of Kurfürstendamm (which runs through Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf) are just as much a part of the district as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Olympic Stadium.
One of the most concentrated centres of Berlin life is the stretch of Kurfürstendamm between Breitscheidplatz and Joachimstaler Platz. This is the famous Kranzler-Eck which also boasts a glass office building remodelled by the architect Helmut Jahn. The often photographed Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stands at the heart of Breitscheidplatz. It was left in ruins as a memorial after its destruction in 1943. Between 1957 and 1963 a new church was built beside it. Constructed in the sixties, the Europa Center was Germany's first shopping mall. It houses over 100 retail shops and a The 76,000 seat Olympic Stadium and adjacent Maifeld, where villas meet the edge of Grunewald, attest to the monumental architecture of the Nazi period. The home pitch of Hertha BSC staged the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™ Final. From 2000 to 2004 the stadium was completely revamped in preparation for the event while still hosting matches. On the opposite side of the Maifeld is the Waldbühne, one of Europe's largest open air theatres, seating nearly 20,000. Its verdant surroundings make it a popular backdrop for concerts and major events.
One of Charlottenburg's most alluring areas is also its oldest section and was an affluent and independent city itself until 1920. Here you will find Schloss Charlottenburg, a magnificent residence constructed in Italian Baroque style and surrounded by a lovely park perfect for taking a relaxing break. Extending from the south is Schlossstraße, worth visiting for its museums as well as its noble villas. The Bröhanmuseum displays design, art and fin de siècle jewellery while the elegant Stülerbau houses the Berggruen collection and contains paintings by Picasso, Klee and Van Gogh.