The historical heart of the German capital, Berlin Mitte offers visitors a fascinating journey through iconic monuments and attractions, such as Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall Memorial. Doused in heritage and filled with a lively atmosphere, Berlin Mitte is explored by almost every visitor coming to Berlin.
An indication of the area's location comes from its translation: Mitte means “middle, centre”. It covers a square block from Museum Island to Brandenburg Gate, then across from Potsdamer Platz to Alexanderplatz. The landmarks reflect the complete Berlin experience. Admire the Prussian grandeur of Brandenburg Gate, go shopping on the famous Unterdem Linden Boulevard, contrast the architecture of Russische Botschaft with Bebelplatz, then see the old and new sides of the famous Reichstag building. The Berlin Wall Memorial is in the heart of Mitte, revealing a detailed history of the great divide. Another central landmark is the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe, which is just a few hundred metres from Hitler's Bunker. Five exquisite museums fill Museum Island, a World Heritage site that could take days to explore fully. Then there are the religious and architectural contrasts of Berlin Cathedral, Neue Synagoge and St. Hedwig's Cathedral.
Berlin Mitte is also the capital city's transport hub, with the major transfer point being the large and new Hauptbahnhof, Berlin's main railway station. A variety of underground (U-Bahn) and overground (S-Bahn) rail services crisscross the area and stretch out to the rest of Berlin. Berlin Mitte can easily be explored on foot and there are dozens of inspiring sights along the broad boulevards.
Following World War II, Mitte was almost completely surrounded by the Berlin Wall, with the line of the wall still engraved on the ground.