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World War II ended here on 8 May 1945, when Germany signed its unconditional surrender. Documents, uniforms and photographs, displayed in the former officers’ casino, relate the story of the war.

This branch of the American Guggenheim museum, together with the Deutsche Bank branch Unter den Linden, show changing exhibitions of modern art of the highest standard from the US. During recent years, Deutsche Guggenheim has thus managed to become one of the most successful and popular art venues in the city, with an emphasis placed on installations. In 1999, the retrospective of works by Dan Flavin was a particular highlight. Treasures from the Deutsche Bank archives are also shown here. Pop into the small museum shop and refresh yourself with a coffee from the museum café.

Sponsored by the Deutsche Bank, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions, often showing modern art from the US (see Central Berlin: Unter den Linden) .

Germany’s largest History Museum uses unique exhibits, documents and films to take the visitor on a journey through German history, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Special exhibitions are devoted to particular themes (see pp12–5).

The technology museum is a giant playground for children, excellent for learning through play. There are locomotives to clamber over, windmills to play with and the exhibition “Spektrum”, where older children can conduct their own physics and chemistry experiments (see Kreuzberg & Schöneberg) .

The history of technology and crafts is the theme of this fascinating museum, located in the grounds of a former station. In a new building, visitors can learn about developments in aviation and admire 40 planes, including a Junkers Ju 52 and a “raisin bomber”, the type of plane used for the Berlin airlift. Old ships and steam locomotives bring back the days of the Industrial Revolution.

The fascinating Museum of Technology, on the site of a former station, has fascinating hands-on displays on the history of technology (see Kreuzberg & Schöneberg) .

Once Max Reinhardt’s place of work, the theatre – widely considered the best German-language theatre – shows mainly German classics, often in new interpretations.