Alexanderplatz most probably is Berlin's most famous tourist spot. Alexanderplatz is a large public square and transport hub in the central Mitte district of Berlin, near the Fernsehturm. Berliners often call it simply Alex, referring to a larger neighborhood stretching from Mollstraße in the northeast to Spandauer Straße and the Rotes Rathaus in the southwest.
I had a chance to visit Alexanderplatz during a layover between flights to Malaga, Spain. We took a local train from airport and visited Alexanderplatz to spend few hours before checking in at hotel near airport latter this evening.
Metro Alexanderplatz
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get there is by using local metro (S-Bahn). Alexanderplatz is also the name of the S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations there. It is one of Berlin's largest and most important transportation hubs, being a cross of 3 subway (U-Bahn) lines, 3 S-Bahn lines, and many tram and bus lines, as well as regional trains.
Tourists at Alexanderpltatz
Alexanderplatz is also a popular shopping destination in Berlin
Postcards from Berlin
A popular car in Democratic Republic of Germany - Trabant.
Alexanderplatz
Originally a cattle market outside the city fortifications, it was named in honor of a visit of theRussian Emperor Alexander I to Berlin on 25 October 1805 by order of King Frederick William III of Prussia. The square gained a prominent role in the late 19th century with the construction of the Stadtbahn station of the same name and a nearby market hall, followed by the opening of a department store of Hermann Tietz in 1904, becoming a major commercial centre. The U-Bahn station of the present-day U2 line opened on 1 July 1913.
Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz has been subject to redevelopment several times in its history, most recently during the 1960s, when it was turned into a pedestrian zone and enlarged as part of the German Democratic Republic's redevelopment of the city centre. It is surrounded by several notable structures including the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), the second tallest structure in the European Union.
At Alexanderplatz
Since German reunification, Alexanderplatz has undergone a gradual process of change with many of the surrounding buildings being renovated. Despite the reconstruction of the tram line crossing, it has retained its socialist character, including the much-graffitied"Fountain of Friendship between Peoples" (Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft), a popular venue.
The Press Cafe building (left)
The mural displaying the Marxist view of the press has been covered over by commercial advertising.
Many historic buildings are located in the vicinity of Alexanderplatz. The traditional seat of city government, the Rotes Rathaus, or Red City Hall, is located nearby, as was the former East German parliament building, the Palast der Republik, demolition of which began in February 2006 and has been completed. The reconstruction of the Baroque Stadtschloss near Alexanderplatz has been in planning for several years
