Alexanderplatz (Platz = square) was a very lively spot in Berlin in the 20s but when the Russians arrived in 1945 all that changed. It is now scheduled for redevelopment. It owes its name to the Russian Czar, Alexander I. Here you can see the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) built during the Russian Occupation: at 368 metres, it’s the highest building in Berlin . You can take a lift to a viewing platform at a height of 203 metres or the café 207 metres above ground level; the café rotates giving you an all round view of Berlin in 30 minutes. If you are flush you could have breakfast in the tower or if not try the café on the 5th floor of the Kaufhof nearby. Close to the TV Tower is Marienkirche, the 2nd oldest church in Berlin : inside is the Totentanz (death dance), the oldest fresco in Germany : it shows how everybody is made equal in death, whether poor man or king. If you walk towards the Nikolaiviertel (see below) you pass the Neptunbrunnen (= Neptunes Fountain): it was built as a gift from the people of Berlin to their king in 1891; the 4 female figures represent the principle rivers in Germany .

Das Rote Rathaus (= Red Town Hall ). The name is due to the colour of the building and not its politics. Built in the 1860s it is now the official seat of the Mayor of Berlin. Not far from here you can see various statues representing typical Berlin figures of the past, the flower girl, shoemaker etc. and two sculptures from East Berlins socialist past representing socialist workers.

Das Nikolaiviertel (= Nikolai quarter or area). Next to the Rote Rathaus is the Nikolaiviertel, probably the oldest part of Berlin . The Nikolaikirche at its centre is the oldest church in the city, built in 1230, and now a museum of Berlins history. Outside the church stands a statue of a bear, the symbol of the city (Baerlein = little bear). The Nikolaiviertel has many trendy boutiques, restaurants and pubs but these are not the cheapest in the city. The oldest house in this area is the Knoblauchhaus (Garlic House) in Poststraße 23; it is named after its original owner, Johann Christian Knoblauch. The pub, Zum Nußbaum, in Am Nußbaum, no. 23, was the haunt of the Berlin painter Heinrich Ziller. Now walk towards the river Spree . The large building on the far side of the river is the Marstall , which used to house the Kaisers 300 horses, coaches and sledges; it now contains the Hans Eisler school of music.

Der Lustgarten (= Pleasure Garden ). Cross the river and turn left along Am Lustgarten. Walk through the Lustgarten (originally part of the palace and later appropriated as part of Marx-Engels-Platz). On your left is the  Berliner Dom or Berlin Cathedral. It was built from 1894 to 1905 for the Kaiser and his family. It also served as burial place for the royal family. From the Cathedral steps you can look over to the Lustgarten and the Alte Museum . The latter marks the beginning of Museum Island or Museumsinsel , where 5 world class museums may be visited. The Pergamon Museum is a must for anyone interested in Greek, Roman or Babylonian architecture, a truly amazing place.  When you come to the crossroads you will see the Palast der Republik der DDR opposite you. After WW2 the Russians destroyed the remains of the Royal Palace and replaced it with this uninspiring building which served as Parliament for East Germany . In 2002 the present German parliament decided to restore the façade of the old Royal Palace : watch this space. Turn right and cross the Schlossbrucke (palace bridge) heading towards Unter den Linden.

Unter den Linden  On the banks of the river Spree and on the right side of Unter den Linden you will find the Deutsche Historische Museum , formerly the “ Zeughaus ” or arsenal of the Prussian kings (built 1695 - 1706). The museum shows the various epochs of German history.The inner courtyard of this building with its 18 masks of dying warriors is the work of the architect and sculptor, Andreas Schlüter. Next to this building in Unter den Linden is the Neue Wache (1816 - 18) in the little chestnut wood. Formerly this was occupied by the Royal Guards. Today this is the Nationale Gedenkstätte für die Opfer von Krieg und Gewaltherrschaft . (National Memorial to the Victims of War and Dictatorship) with a statue by Käthe Kollwitz of a grieving mother holding her dead son in her arms. After the Neue Wache we walk to the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , now a university but once a palace for the brother of king Friedrich II. If you cross the road here, you pass the Denkmal Friedrich II Memorial statue to Friedrich II, also called Frederick the Great and “Old Fritz”. He ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786 and built many of Berlins best known buildings.

Bebelplatz ( Bebel Square ), which adjoins Unter de Linden, is surrounded on 3 sides by imposing buildings, The Staatsoper (State Opera) completed in 1743, the Alte Bibliothek or Old Library (1775 - 1780), now part of the University and St. Hedwigs (catholic) Kathedrale. Bebelplatz was also the scene of the infamous Nazi burning of the books in 1933. In the pavement in the centre of the square is a window giving a view into a library with empty shelves. 

Gendarmenmarkt  If you leave Bebelplatz on the side by St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale, you come to Gendarmenmarkt , often considered Berlins most beautiful Square. In the centre of the square is the Konzerthaus , with two cathedrals, the Deutsche Dom (1701 - 1708) and the Französische Dom or French Cathedral (1701 - 1705) at its sides.  The French Cathedral ( the one closer to Unter den Linden) was built for the many French Huguenots who fled to Berlin , a Protestant stronghold, during the reign of Frederick the Great. From the French Cathedral you can get a fantastic view of Berlin , if you can manage the 254 steps to the top of the cathedral. The Gendarmenmarkt is also the place to go in December for arguably the best Christmas Fare in Berlin . If it is near lunch time, the Malatesta Italian restaurant in 59 Charlottenstrasse comes well recommended and overlooks Gendarmenmarkt square.

Das Brandenburger Tor  If you go back to "Unter den Linden" , you will pass the Komische Oper (Comic Opera) and a bit further on the French shop "Galeries Lafayette". In the centre of the shop is an enormous ball. Passing the Russian Embassy and the famous Hotel Adlon you reach Pariser Platz and the Brandenburg Gate . The Gate was built from1788 – 93. Napoleon took the Quadriga statue on top of the Gate back to Paris when he conquered Berlin but after the battle of Waterloo it was brought back.

Der Reichstag  To the right, behind the Brandenburg Gate is the Deutsche Reichstag, built 1884 - 94 for Germanys Parliament. After the burning of the Reichstag in 1933, many socialists and Communists were murdered by the Nazis. It was rebuilt and since 1999 has once more been the seat of the German Parliament. The new transparent glass dome designed by Sir Norman Foster is well worth a visit and gives you a good view of the city.  There is also a restaurant in the Reichstag which is open to the public.

Potsdamer Platz Turning to the left from Brandenburg Gate along Ebert Strasse you come to Potsdamer Platz. Previously divided by the Berlin Wall, in the 1990s Potsdamer Platz became the largest construction area in Europe . The square, together with several adjacent blocks were redeveloped.The projects included several large tower buildings, a shopping arcade, an entertainment centre and residential buildings. The Sony Center ,which includes an Imax theatre and an office tower is particlularly interesting. Its neighbour, the brown-brick Kohlhof building has an observation deck at a height of 93m. The tour ends here.