Tiergarten

The Tiergarten neighborhood in Berlin's Mitte district is a historically and politically central part of the capital. It is bounded by the Spree River to the north and borders the neighborhoods of Hansaviertel, Moabit, Mitte, Charlottenburg, Schöneberg, and Kreuzberg. A defining feature of the area is the Großer Tiergarten, which takes up a considerable part of its territory and is considered Berlin's second-largest park. The urban area south of the park is often referred to as Tiergarten Süd. The history of this area goes back to the 19th century, when land outside the old customs wall was incorporated into Berlin and officially designated a separate district in 1884. These areas originally consisted of meadows and parade grounds, which later gave way to grand squares and elegant residential neighborhoods.

The political significance of the area has changed considerably over time. During World War II, large parts of the built-up area were destroyed, and plans for a monumental redesign in line with Nazi ideas were never completed. During the division of Berlin, the site along the Spreebogen (Spree bend) lay largely fallow. After reunification and the move of the federal government to Berlin, the former Alsen Quarter was developed into the new government district. Today, the German Bundestag meets in the historic Reichstag building on Platz der Republik, while the Federal Chancellor works in the modern Federal Chancellery. The area is also home to the Office of the Federal President in Bellevue Palace and the Federal Ministry of Defense in the Bendlerblock.

Another important aspect is the embassy district, which lies between the Großer Tiergarten, the Zoological Garden, and the Landwehr Canal. This district already played a role as a seat of diplomatic missions in the days of the German Empire. After the destruction of the war and the division of Germany, it temporarily lost relevance, but regained importance after the decision to make Berlin the capital again. Alongside the historic Swiss Embassy, one of the few surviving buildings from the prewar era, you'll find modern diplomatic facilities here, including the joint Nordic Embassies for Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Culturally, the neighborhood is defined by the Kulturforum Berlin, which extends near Potsdamer Platz. This ensemble brings together some of the city's most important cultural institutions, including the Gemäldegalerie (Old Masters Picture Gallery), the Kupferstichkabinett (Museum of Prints and Drawings), the Musical Instruments Museum, the Neue Nationalgalerie, the Philharmonie, and the State Library. St. Matthew's Church, which survived World War II, is also part of this cultural center. Potsdamer Platz itself, rebuilt in the 1990s after the fall of the Wall, is now home to the Sony Center, various theaters, and shopping options, and recalls its history as one of the busiest squares in Europe during the Roaring Twenties.

In the south of the neighborhood, on the southern edge of the Großer Tiergarten, you'll find the Zoological Garden with the adjoining Aquarium. These attractions are popular destinations for visitors from around the world. Kurfürstenstraße, which runs through this area, is historically known for the filmed story of the heroin scene of the 1970s, documented in Christiane F. – We Children from Bahnhof Zoo. Although the scenes of that time no longer exist in that form, the area remains a place with a history of its own.

Other sights include the Kongresshalle, which now houses the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures), and the Bauhaus Archive. The Victory Column at the Großer Stern is a striking landmark visible from afar. The Tiergarten Tunnel runs beneath a large part of the neighborhood and serves as an important traffic artery. For sports enthusiasts, the Großer Tiergarten is the starting point of the Berlin Marathon, which has been held here since 1987. The combination of green park areas, historic buildings, modern government buildings, and cultural highlights makes Tiergarten a diverse and fascinating place in central Berlin.