History

Berlin´s Origins ...

are in the Nikolai quarter. The Nikolaikirche at its centre is the oldest building of the town that is still standing, and also Berlin's first church.

The history of the town of Berlin, the first mention of which in an official document was made in 1237, started in the Eastern part of Berlin-Cölln, a double-town split by the river Spree. Founded at the crossing of land and water trading routes on both sides of the Spree, it was first connected by the Mühlendamm dam and later by a bridge.

Under Hohenzollern rule, the dual Spree town was declared a single town by the name of Berlin in 1432. This is the beginning of Berlin's long experience with unifications. In 1432, it was hardly surprising, in particular since the two halves had already established a joint city council. For a long time, the current Nikolai quarter, market and Mühlendamm remained the merchant centre of a growing town.

Later, Berlin becomes the capital city of increasingly important Brandenburg-Prussia under its famous electors and kings, situated between absolutist power and enlightenment. The Nikolai quarter, neighbour to the Stadtschloss, which was damaged in World War II and torn down in 1950, remains a centre of social, economic and cultural development for centuries.

In the 19th century, the bourgeoisie appears, and the Prussian town order is introduced. The new Berlin magistrate is consecrated in the Nikolaikirche. Berlin becomes the capital city of the empire, the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich in turns.

The Jewish store Israel, which had grown to a considerable size in the Nikolai quarter, is first forced into Arian hands by the Nazis and then, just like the rest of the quarter, completely destroyed in World War II. Berlin's first church remains as a roofless ruin for many years.

Only in the 1980's, the GDR reconstructs the central part of town at the Rotes Rathaus and remembers its history. The Nikolai quarter rises again, in a unique combination of historical buildings, replicas and component-built areas with arcades and Hanseatic gables, connected by medieval alleys and the Spree water front. At least one half of Berlin had regained its identity-conveying area and founding place in time to the 750th town anniversary in 1987 – shortly before the Fall of the Wall...

Finally, in January 1991, the first (constituent) meeting of the unified Berlin City Parliament is held in the Nikolaikirche. The Nikolai quarter and its church become the centre and starting place for the common town history and are honoured by democratic town development.

Today, Berlin's historic core is not only a place full of history, but also a historic document, full of Berlin contradictions. At the same time, it is a quarter with a unique mixture and a great number of possibilities for enjoyment, experience, strolls and relaxation. It is Berlin's good core.

For more information on the town and its history, have a look at the interesting exhibitions in the museums and the 20 tables of the historical road.

And Tomorrow?

A very good question!

What is Berlin planning for its 775th anniversary in 2012, the first common anniversary of the unified city?

It is certainly a reason to celebrate together!