Around the TV tower
"Alex" say the Berliners, to designate the Alexanderplatz district.
Dedicated to the monarch Alexander 1st, the square was originally a gigantic cattle fair.
Recently redone, it houses a shopping center, green spaces, tram and metro lines, and of course the Fernsehturm, the large TV Tower, visible from almost anywhere in the city.
Also discover the Berlin Pass
We first stop in front of two curiosities:
the Weltzeituhr, a clock that indicates the times of the main cities of the world (New York, Paris, Tokyo, etc.) and a massive fountain, both built in the socialist style, the stigmata of which can be found here and there in the neighborhood (at this By the way, see the Marx-Engels Forum, a spacious square where two statues of the thinkers of communist doctrine sit enthroned: will they be dismantled like the headquarters of the Communist Party, opposite the Museum Island?)
The TV Tower is the big attraction at Alexanderplatz. Berliners and tourists are not mistaken, since there is a line every day.
With a height of 365 meters, the Tower is indeed the most visited building in the German capital.
The entrance is 6 euros to climb there and admire the breathtaking view of the city;
moreover, as the Tower closes at 1 a.m. in summer and midnight in winter, we won't hesitate to take a look at night to admire the Berlin lights (Avenue Unter Den Linden is especially majestic at night).
Adjacent to the Fernsehturm, the Marienkirche church nevertheless tries to exist in the shadow of this immense tower.
Of Gothic style, the building does not have anything extraordinary outside, also one enters.
Inside, a small concert is given (as often in the year), and we stroll according to the frescoes and the characters carved in alabaster.
On leaving, we will admire the Berlin City Hall (das Rote Rathaus), which dates from the end of the 19th century.
In front of the entrance are two splendid statues which owe their existence to the city's tribute to all the Berliners who helped to rebuild their city after 1945.
A gift that everyone can enjoy today...
Useful information
> Alexanderplatz has a good number of tram lines, but also the U2, U5 and U8 metro lines as well as several S-Bahn (skytrain) lines.
All about Alexanderplatz and the shopping to do there (in German) http://www.alexanderplatz.de
The official website of the Television Tower (in French) http://www.berlinerfernsehturm.de/home_fr.asp
