Landmarks and Places of Interest

The Brandenburg Gate, a triumphal arch built in the late 18th century, was the chief landmark of prewar Berlin. Located along what was the boundary between East and West Berlin, today the gate stands as a symbol of a reunited Berlin. Among other notable historic structures are the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Arsenal. The church, built in the 1890's, was severely damaged during the World War II and today stands unrestored as a reminder of the war's destruction. The Arsenal, a baroque structure built between 1695 and 1706 to store weapons, today houses the Museum of German History.

Southwest of Berlin is Wannsee, site of the 1942 conference where Nazi officials planned the extermination of the Jews. Today the villa where the conference was held is a memorial dedicated to the millions of Jews who perished in the Holocaust. It also houses a museum with exhibits pertaining to the Holocaust.

Berlin has many restored historic buildings and modern structures. Among the notable restored buildings are Charlottenburg Castle and Grunewald Hunting Lodge, both former royal residences; the Reichstag, the former parliament; the Schöneberg Town Hall, formerly the seat of West Berlin's government; and the State Opera House. Some of the more notable modern structures include the Radio Tower, the Television Tower, the International Congress Center, and the Philharmonic Hall.

Berlin has two zoos. The zoo located in the Tiergarten was opened in 1844. Its collection is among the largest in the world. An aquarium is affiliated with this zoo. Berlin's other zoo, the Tierpark, opened in 1955, is located in what was formerly East Berlin.