Pariser Platz Attractions & Landmark
Berlin's Reception Room
Berlin,
10117
Germany
Transport Options:
Train Available: Unter den Linden: S1, S2, S25
Overview
The pristine flower-beds and gushing fountains which fill historic Pariser Platz lend a touch of rural elegance to the urban jungle. Once known as "the Emperor's reception room", Pariser Platz has been the first stop on visitors' itineries since the 18th century. Located at the end of Berlin's grandiose boulevard, Unter den Linden, wartime destruction left much of Pariser Platz flattened, with only the Brandenburg Gate left standing. Yet money has flooded into Berlin since reunification and the square is being slowly restored to its former splendour. Its original rectangular form has been retained, yet the buildings which now line it to the north and south are a curious mixture of deeply nostalgic and strikingly modern architecture. Hotel Adlon, for example, is an exact copy of the original building, while Frank O.Gehry's DG Bank and the Academy of Arts are eye-catching examples of contemporary design. Just two gaps remain to be filled, and when the American and French embassies are completed, Pariser Platz will be laid with cobble stones and shall once again be a worthy reception room for millions of visitors to the new German capital.
if you want to see it all in berlin, start here. pariser platz is smack in the middle of the most important sites in berlin. walk east -through the brandenburg gate, which used to be in the :kill zone: between east & west berlin & was built in the 1700's-into the tiergarten to see the victory column. walk north to see the new reichstag dome (open to public). walk south to the memorial for the murdered jews of europe, potsdam platz/ sony center (big purple tent, trust me- youll see it!) which is also near famous buildings like the new national gallery & the berlin philharmonie. walk southeast towards checkpoint charlie; walk east down the tree shaded unter den linden towards museum island. theres even a metro stop on unter den linden, & a starbucks/ tourist shops all right there. 2 well kept secrets: 1) you can go into the DZ bank (south side of pariser platz, in the middle)lobby & check out the crazy interior of a frank gehry building. 2) there is a tourist pit stop w/ brochures, in the south side of the gate. The best part? Everything I mentioned (except starbucks!) is FREE! bring a lunch to picnic in the tiergarten (a gigantic park in the middle of the city) and you have a cheap day in the wonderful city of berlin.
