Look out for the quotations carved into the sides of the huge pillars of granite, which tell the story of the war from the Soviet perspective.
This vast memorial was built to commemorate 5,000 of an estimated 80,000 Russian soldiers who died in the Battle of Berlin, defeating Hitler, in May 1945.
It was one of three memorials constructed, and served as the main memorial in the subsequently annexed East Berlin, opening four years after the end of the war.
A competition was announced shortly after the end of the war, and the winning entry was a confluence of plans drawn up by an architect, a sculptor, an engineer and a painter. It is a lasting reminder of the tragedy that befell the Russian people during the Second World War. Over 25 million Russians - more than the citizens of any other nation - were killed.
Explore the very best of Berlin on this full-day private tour of the German Capital including the majestic buildings on Museum Island, the moving memorials to the Holocaust, many haunting reminders of World War 2, as well as the bustling food market near the iconic East Side Gallery commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall.
On your private tour you will:
Explore the beautiful and buzzing Berlin with an expert private guide on this immersive full-day tour of Germany’s capital city.
Today Berlin is famous for its majestic neo-Baroque architecture, especially on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Museum Island. You’ll learn about the city’s history from medieval times when it was founded in the 13th Century, through to becoming the heart of the powerful Prussian Empire, later the centre of Hitler’s war machine, then a city divided by the infamous Berlin Wall during the Cold War years to a thriving, modern capital.
The city doesn’t shy away from its dark past. You will see many moving memorials to the Holocaust, including the Holocaust Memorial and the copper “stumbling stones” commemorating Jews who were taken from their homes and deported to the camps. You will also see the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and later in the day explore the iconic East Side Gallery.
Today Berlin has overcome its complicated past and is a thriving metropolis, famous for its alternative fashion, music, film, theatre, dance, art, and digital scene. It has also become a melting pot of multiculturalism which is reflected in its diverse multi-ethnic cuisine.
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