The city centre of former East Berlin, which corresponds for a big part with the old historical centre, is located on and around the Spree Island. On the site, where until after WW II the old royal palace could be found, the socialist regime built the "Palast der Republik" (Republican Palace). But also this building has not survived history. After long political and public debates, the people's palace has being demolished, leaving an urban void in the middle of town. Still, the socialist design principles in architecture and urbanism remain recognisably visible in Berlin. The small scale reconstruction of the historical Nicolai quarter, the urban ensemble of the Alexanderplatz and the Karl-Marx-Allee are prominent examples of an architecture ranging between modernist and soviet influences.

On the Museum Island, different museums do not only accommodate impressive collections of art history, they themselves also form a remarkable collection of architectural history. The buildings which date mainly of the classicism epoche, have recently being renovated by architects such as David Chipperfield. The Unter den Linden boulevard formed in ancient times the connection between the royal palace and the Tiergarten park. Palaces of the aristrocracy are located here as well as the opera, theatres and the university. Together with the squares Bebelplatz and Gendarmenmarkt, Unter den Linden is part of the urban masterplan of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The Friedrichstraße is the second important street in this part of town, dominated by new and chic shopping galleries.

architectural tour through the city centre of East Berlin more information

Peter Behrens, David Chipperfield, Herman Henselmann, Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, Jean Nouvel, Karl-Friedrich Schinkel, Günther Stahn, Friedrich August Stüler, Oswald Matthias Ungers e.a.

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