Take old school elements of New York mixed with a European touch and you've got the city of Berlin. Since post-Wall rebirth, the city has revitalized itself into a booming place for tourists. Catching a glimpse of iconic sites and understanding the stories behind these places give visitors a grand appreciation for a city filled with history, impression and edge.

Once known as the city gate designed to represent peace in the late 1700s is now a representation of not only Berlin, but Germany itself.  This neoclassical arch was designed in the likes of the Acropolis in Athens, with its own unique style. It saw important historical events, like Napoleon's procession through former Prussia or the rise of the Nazi powers. In recent time, it was a place where Berliners celebrated the fall of the Berlin wall, in which it became a symbol of freedom and reunification for Germany. It was also the place where President Ronald Regan made his famous speech which included the line: "Tear down this wall."




For many Europeans, memories of the Holocaust bring sadness to those affected by it. Paying dedication to those lost during this tragic time is important to locals and tourists who understand this poignant history. New York designer Peter Einsenman created the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe as a perspective piece dedicated to those victims lost. This dizzying maze of over 2,000 concrete blocks are left to the imagination of the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the message being sent. For photographers, it is absolute heaven, especially at sunset when the rectangular blocks create a lovely shadow.




What is most iconic to Berlin and Germany's history was the wall which symbolized the Iron Curtain that separated Western Europe from the Eastern parts. Set up in 1961 by the German Democratic Republic a large concrete wall was designed to cut off West Berlin from East Berlin. The wall went up as fast as it came down, with awful repercussions for those living in Berlin, being separated overnight during its construction without warning. Nonetheless, as the Cold War cooled off, the fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized freedom for the Germans and the repression of Soviet Union forces. While most of the wall was torn away and placed in museums, pieces are left scattered around the city; a dotted pavement signifies where the wall once stood.




Located in the popular area Alexanderplatz, the TV Tower, or Fernsehturm Berlin was developed by the former German Democratic Republic who wanted to create a status symbol for Berlin. This tallest structure of Germany stands tall as a modern structure in present day Berlin. One can enjoy the view of the tower, or the view from it with an observation deck at the top which provides panoramic views of the city. Make sure to ask about the significance of the "Pope's Revenge;” the effect by the sunlight on the globe which looked like a crucifix.




Berlin is known for its edgy fashion, style and attitude and it’s especially apparent in its street art. Call it a side street, a museum area or a mix of the two, but the Haus Schwarzenberg is a fantastic place to photograph true Street Art in Berlin. The art tells the true story of Berliners, whether it’s a propaganda piece towards a reunified Berlin, or simply a pop art ad for a funky magazine. It's impossible to not get an eccentric photograph at a place that was once a run-down street turned into a haven for artists and creative minds.

Get on a flight to Berlin today and soak up the sites! 

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photos: rickz, mpieracci, cattleclasstraveler, ximenacab, steffireichert