DK Travel : Berlin : Unter den Linden

Unter den Linden

1.5 /5 (1 vote)

Rate it

Review this attraction

Are these details incorrect?

“As long as the lime trees still blossom in Unter den Linden, Berlin will always be Berlin,” Marlene Dietrich once sang about this magnificent avenue. Today the lime trees blossom more beautifully than ever in the historical centre of Berlin, because the old buildings along the street have been extensively restored and modern architecture has created new highlights. The “Linden” – originally a royal bridle-path linking the Stadtschloss (the king’s town residence) and Tiergarten – became Berlin’s most fashionable street in the 18th century, and was synonymous with the city that was then the capital of Prussia.
Buses No. 100 and No. 200 run along the entire length of Unter den Linden, with bus stops at nearly all the famous sights. For more on Unter den Linden (see Central Berlin: Unter den Linden)

Top 10 Sights

1. Deutsches Historisches Museum

Germany’s largest history museum, reopened in 2003, provides an overview of more than 1,000 years of German history. Housed in the Zeughaus – the royal arsenal built in 1706 – it is the oldest and, architecturally, the most interesting building in the avenue Unter den Linden (see Deutsches Historisches Museum) .
2. Staatsoper Unter den Linden

The richly ornamented National Opera House is one of Germany’s most attractive. Neo-Classical in style, it was built by von Knobelsdorff in 1741–3 as Europe’s first free-standing opera house, to plans devised by Frederick the Great himself (see Performing Arts Venues) .
3. St Hedwigskathedrale

Designed by Georg W von Knobelsdorff in 1740–2 and modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, this is the seat of the Catholic archdiocese in Berlin. Frederick the Great commissioned the cathedral to appease Catholics in Berlin after conquering Silesia (see Churches & Synagogues) .
4. Humboldt-Universität

Berlin’s oldest and most highly regarded university was founded in 1890, on the initiative of Wilhelm von Humboldt. Twenty-nine Nobel Prize winners were educated here, including Albert Einstein.
5. Neue Wache

The central German memorial for all victims of war was created in the years 1816–8 and designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. An enlarged reproduction of the moving Pietà sculpture by Käthe Kollwitz stands in the centre of the room.
6. Kronprinzenpalais

The Neo-Classical Palais, built in 1732–3 by Philipp Gerlach, was originally a residence for the heirs to the Hohenzollern throne. After World War I it became an art museum, and after 1948 the East German government housed state visitors there. Until 2003 it was used for exhibitions of the Deutsches Historisches Museum opposite.
7. Bebelplatz

Originally named Opernplatz, this wide, open space was designed by Georg W von Knobelsdorff as the focal point of his Forum Fridericianum. The elegant square was meant to introduce some of the splendour and glory of ancient Rome to the Prussian capital. In May 1933, it became the scene of the infamous Nazi book burning.
8. Opernpalais

The charming building next to the Staatsoper, built in 1733–7, served as a palace for the princesses.
9. Russische Botschaft

The gigantic Russian Embassy, built in Stalinist “wedding-cake style”, was the first building to be constructed in Unter den Linden after World War II (see Best of the Rest) .
10. Frederick the Great’s Statue

One of Christian Daniel Rauch’s grandest sculptures, this statue shows the “Old Fritz” (13.5 m/45 ft high) on horseback, wearing a uniform and tricorn hat (see Central Berlin: Unter den Linden) .

Practical Information

The largest selection of cakes in Berlin tempts visitors in the Café im Opernpalais. In summer, you can enjoy them outside. Deutsches Historisches Museum Unter den Linden 2 10am–6pm daily (030) 20 30 40 www.dhm.de Admission charge St Hedwigskathedrale Bebelplatz 10am–5pm Mon–Sat, 1–5pm Sun (030) 203 48 10 www.hedwigs-kathedrale.de Staatsoper Unter den Linden 7 Box Office 11am–7pm Mon–Fri, 2–7pm Sun (030) 20 35 45 55 www.staatsoper-berlin.de Admission charge