Federal Republic of Germany(German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland), Germany (BRD) was proclaimed on May 23, 1949 in the territories located in the American, British and French zones of occupation of Nazi Germany (Trisonia). It was assumed that later the rest of the German territories would also become part of the Federal Republic of Germany, which was provided for and provided for by a special article 23 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. Due to the occupation of Berlin and giving it a special status, the capital of the state was temporarily moved to the provincial city of Bonn. In the same year, on October 7, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was proclaimed in the Soviet zone of occupation, with its capital in Berlin (de facto, only in the eastern part of the city under the control of the GDR). For the next forty years, both German states existed in parallel; At the same time, until the early 1970s, the German authorities categorically did not recognize the existence of the GDR, and since the 1970s, they embarked on the path of its partial recognition. On October 3, 1990, after a peaceful revolution in the GDR, its territory was integrated into the Federal Republic of Germany in accordance with Article 23 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. Simultaneously, the capital was returned to Berlin.
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✪ Coin overview 2 Mark, Germany, 1978 / 2 Deutsche Mark, The Federal Republic of Germany, 1978
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I welcome everyone to my channel! Today I want to tell you about a 2 mark coin of the Federal Republic of Germany (or as West Germany is also called), 1978. This coin is commemorative. It is dedicated to the twentieth anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany. Let me remind you that after the end of the Second World War, the territory of Germany was divided into 4 occupation zones: American, French, British and the USSR. Subsequently, the 3 western zones merged into the FRG and West Berlin, and the USSR zone turned into the GDR. But in 1989, after the destruction of the Berlin Wall, which separated the two republics, Germany united into one republic. This coin was minted from 1969 to 1987 at four mints in Munich, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Hamburg. Greetings to all on my channel! Greetings to all The coin from my collection was minted in Stuttgart in 1978 and its circulation is 3,743,636 copies. Consider the appearance of the coin. The design of the obverse and reverse of the coin is Reinhart Heinsdorff. The coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany - the Federal Eagle without a shield - is depicted in the center of the obverse of the coin. It has the same shape as the Federal Coat of Arms, but with the feathers spread out. Under the right paw there is a letter (mint mark), in this case it is the letter F - the letter of the Stuttgart mint. Under the coat of arms is the denomination of the coin, with a large number 2 and further along the circumference you can read the denomination of the coin in words - the German mark. On the opposite side is the name of the issuer's country in the official language of the Federal Republic of Germany Above the coat of arms you can read the year of issue of the coin 1978. On the reverse of the coin in the center is a profile looking to the left of Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer. (years of life 1876-1967) He ruled from 1949 and retired in 1963 due to his advanced age of eighty-seven years, and is one of the oldest heads of government in recent history. Under the portrait is the date 1949-1969 - the twentieth anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany. On the circumference of the reverse, the name of the country is repeated - the Federal Republic of Germany in large letters. The inscription is enclosed between two hemispheres. On the edge of the coin, the motto of the country is engraved: Unity and law and freedom. The beginning and end of the motto is enclosed by two oak leaves. Each word is also separated by one oak leaf. Coin characteristics: Coin material: copper-nickel alloy; Coin diameter: 26.5mm; Coin weight: 7 grams; Edge thickness: 1.8 mm; Edge type: chased; Mutual position of the obverse and reverse: Medal (0 °) If you liked the video - put like, If you do not want to miss the next coin review, I recommend subscribing to the channel, also see reviews of other coins! Thanks everyone for watching! See you!
Germany in the first years after the surrender
After the occupation of Germany by the troops of the allies ("Four Powers" - the USA, Great Britain, France and the USSR), its territory was divided into four zones of occupation - Soviet, French, British, American and the city of Berlin with a special status (also divided into four zones). By 1949, the Western powers consolidated the administration of their zones of occupation into Trizonia. The eastern part of Germany, as before, remained under the control of the Soviet Union.
Proclamation of the Federal Republic of Germany
Political status and claims to all German territory
From the very beginning, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany considered itself as the only legitimate representative of the entire German people, and the Federal Republic of Germany - as the only state-follower of the German Empire, and therefore had claims to all territories belonging to the German Empire as of December 31, 1937 (before the start of the military expansion of the Third Reich), including the territory of the GDR, West Berlin and the “former eastern regions” that were ceded to Poland and the USSR. The preamble to the German constitution emphasized the desire of the German people for reunification in a single state. The government of the FRG in the early years avoided any direct contacts with the government of the GDR in every possible way in order to avoid the possible interpretation of such contacts as recognition of the GDR as an independent state.
| The German state, which did not cease to exist after the collapse, persists after 1945, even if the structure created on the basis of the Basic Law is temporarily limited in its action on a part of the territories of this state. Thus, the Federal Republic of Germany is identical with the German Empire. Decision of the Constitutional Court, 1957 - BVerfGE 6, 309 (336 ff., Zit. Abs. 160, Abs. 166) |
Britain and the United States were also of the opinion that the FRG was the successor to the German Empire, but France supported the idea that the German Empire completely disappeared as a state in 1945. US President Harry Truman opposed the signing of a peace treaty with the FRG, since, in his opinion, this would mean recognition of the existence of two German states. At the New York conference of the foreign ministers of the three powers in 1950, the status of the FRG was finally officially determined. The states recognized the claims of the government of the FRG to the right of the sole legitimate representation of the German people, but refused to recognize the government of the FRG as the government of all Germany.
Due to the non-recognition of the GDR, German legislation recognized the continued existence unified German citizenship, which comes from the citizenship of the German Empire, therefore called its citizens simply German citizens and did not consider the territory of the GDR abroad. For this reason, the German citizenship law of 1913 continued to operate in the country, and a new law on German citizenship was not adopted. It is curious to note that the same German citizenship law of 1913 continued to be in force in the GDR until 1967, and the Constitution of the GDR also recognized the existence of a single German citizenship. In practice, this situation meant that any "German citizen" from the GDR could officially obtain a passport in Germany, once on its territory. To prevent this, the government of the GDR by law forbade its residents to obtain German passports. Only in 1967 in the GDR, instead of German citizenship introduced its own citizenship of the GDR, which was given to all German citizens who lived in the territory of the GDR at the time of its creation and did not lose the right to citizenship of the GDR for a number of reasons. In Germany, the existence of a special citizenship of the GDR was officially recognized only in October 1987, when the Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany ruled that any person who received citizenship of the GDR by naturalization automatically receives German citizenship (essentially citizenship of the FRG).
The non-recognition of the existence of the GDR was also reflected in the designation of the borders of states in geographical atlases. So, in the maps published in 1951 in the FRG, there is still a single Germany within the borders of 1937. At the same time, the border between the FRG and the GDR, as well as the Oder/Neisse line (the new border with Poland) and the border between Poland and the USSR in East Prussia are indicated by barely visible dotted lines; the territories ceded to Poland and the USSR are still part of a unified Germany, although they are signed as “territories under Polish and Soviet administration”, and the toponyms located on them still bear the old German names. The existence of the GDR is also out of the question. In the 1971 edition, the indicated borders are already indicated by a more distinct dashed line, but still differ from the line denoting state borders.
Economics and politics
Domestic development
With help from the United States under the Marshall Plan, as well as as a result of the implementation of the country's economic development plans developed under the leadership of Ludwig Erhard, rapid economic growth was achieved in the 1950s (the German economic miracle), which lasted until 1965. To meet the need for cheap labor, Germany supported the influx of guest workers, mainly from Turkey.
Since 1954, on June 17, the country has celebrated the "Day of German Unity" in honor of the performances on June 17, 1953, in East Berlin. With the abolition of the occupation regime on May 5, 1955, the Federal Republic of Germany officially became a sovereign state. At the same time, sovereignty extended only to the areas under the "Basic Law" and did not include Berlin and other former territories of the German Empire.
Until 1969, the country was ruled by the CDU party (usually in a bloc with the CSU and less often with the FDP). In the 1950s, a number of emergency laws were developed, many organizations were banned, including the Communist Party, and bans on professions were introduced. The internal political course related to denazification was continued, that is, the elimination of the consequences of the Nazis being in power, preventing the revival of Nazi ideology and organizations. In 1955, Germany joined NATO.
Foreign policy and relations with the GDR
The government of the FRG not only did not recognize the existence of the GDR, but for a long time (from September 1955 to October 1969) adhered to the doctrine, according to which all diplomatic relations with any states were broken (the only exception was the USSR due to its belonging to the Four Powers), officially recognizing GDR. In practice, the break in diplomatic relations for this reason occurred twice: in 1957 with Yugoslavia and in 1963 with Cuba.
After the construction of the Berlin Wall by the GDR authorities in 1961, discussions began to appear more and more often in the FRG about the possible recognition of the GDR as an independent state. With the accession of Willy Brandt to the post of Chancellor of the FRG in 1969, a new stage begins in relations between the FRG and the GDR and between the FRG and the socialist countries of Eastern Europe in general. The Moscow Treaty, signed in 1970, according to which the FRG renounced its claims to the former eastern regions of the German Empire, which had ceded to Poland and the USSR after the war, marked the beginning of the era of the "new Eastern policy".
In 1969, the Social Democrats came to power. They recognized the inviolability of post-war borders, weakened emergency legislation, and carried out a number of social reforms. During the years of the reign of Federal Chancellors Willy Brandt and Helmut Schmidt, there was a significant improvement in relations between the FRG and the USSR, which was further developed in the policy of detente. The Moscow Treaty between the USSR and the FRG in 1970 fixed the inviolability of borders, the renunciation of territorial claims (East Prussia) and declared the possibility of uniting the FRG and the GDR. On December 21, 1972, the Fundamental Agreement was concluded between the GDR and the FRG. Subsequently, the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats alternated in power.
In 1973, both German states were admitted to the UN after the FRG recognized the state sovereignty of the GDR according to the norms of state law, although it did not recognize it
Now let's move south to Bavaria. 90 km south of Munich, not far from the border with Austria, is the fabulous village of Oberammergau craftsmen, which has not lost its cultural and historical identity for several centuries. The population of the commune is only 5,000 people, and this figure pales in comparison to the 500,000 tourists who visit these places throughout the year. The main attraction of the village is the Theater of the Passion of Christ, which gathers a large number of spectators for thematic performances.
Oberammergau village
In the vicinity of the South Bavarian city of Füssen, surrounded by virgin nature, there is Hohenschwangau Castle, which offers stunning views of the German Alps (it is also called the High Swan Castle of the Wittelsbachs). Opposite is Neuschwanstein Castle, fascinating with its graceful beauty, as if hovering over the mountain ranges. It seems that this magnificent structure has descended from the pages of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm; it reminds the Bavarians of the times of the eccentric King Ludwig II, who ruled the region from 1864-1886.
Want to see the most ambitious project of the Middle Ages? Then welcome to Cologne. On the coast of the Rhine is the most famous landmark of the city - a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The cathedral is one of the largest religious buildings; its construction started in 1248. has a magnificent interior, equipped with 56 huge columns. Above the main altar is the golden Tomb of the Three Kings. There is also the Chapel of the Three Kings and the Treasury with a collection of jewels. From the windows of the southern towers there are beautiful views of the surroundings.
Railway model "Miniature Wonderland" in HamburgAn attraction that is interesting not only for adults, but also for children, is located in the center of the port city of Hamburg - this is a model railway, the largest in the world, stretching for as much as 12 kilometers. 890 trains run along this amazing highway, which arrive in sections dedicated to different countries. In a few hours spent here, you can plunge into the bewitching world of miniature cities, villages, noisy harbors and airports.
One of the country's most popular tourist routes is the German Romantic Road. The ancient city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber or simply is located on it. Just imagine: the city walls and towers have come down to us in their original form since the Thirty Years' War in 1618. Of the most famous buildings of this impeccably preserved medieval city, we can name the majestic Town Hall of the XIII century, built in 1466, the church of St. James and the municipal Tavern with its famous clock, the city museum, the fountain built in 1608.
Due to the weakening of the central government, local lords were engaged in maintaining order and repelling the attacks of the Huns and Normans. Subsequently, such duchies as Franconia, Saxony, Swabia and Bavaria arose in the territories under their control. Henry I of Saxony, nicknamed the Fowler, by conquering the neighboring German states, managed to restore the central government, but to a small extent. More “lucky” was his son Otgon. In 936, he proclaimed himself the direct heir of Charlemagne and king of all Germany: a superbly organized ceremony for his coronation took place in Aachen.
The power of the German kings and emperors, however, was not hereditary. The decision on who would be the next head of state was made by a narrow circle - the electors of the largest German cities, including the prince-archbishops of Mainz, Cologne and Trier. One of the brightest rulers was Emperor Frederick I (1152-1190). At the court of this representative of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, poets, minnesingers and valiant medieval knights were held in high esteem. And although the central government was still weak, the state - it was then called the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation - lasted until the end of the Middle Ages.
At the end of the 17th century, political leadership in the German lands passed to the rulers of large state entities, among which Prussia stood out noticeably. The model for their kings was the France of the time of Louis XIV, with the idea of centralizing and absolutizing power and strengthening the bureaucracy, including the creation of a strong army on a permanent basis. The autocrats of the new generation became crowded in medieval castles, and they built luxurious baroque palaces for themselves. The construction of these residences and subsequent maintenance cost a lot to ordinary taxpayers. However, from a historical point of view, such sacrifices were not in vain: in our time, these palaces have become the main tourist attractions in Germany, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists.
Oddly enough, the Great French Revolution of 1789 had a significant impact on the future of the state. In 1794, the German lands west of the Rhine came under the control of the French. Soon, the odious Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte established sovereignty over the whole of Germany. On the one hand, it was enslavement, and on the other hand, it brought positive changes. The French, for example, put the political map of their neighbor in order: Bavaria and Baden became kingdoms, thoroughly expanding their possessions, and petty ecclesiastical states were abolished. At the same time, no one liked foreign domination, and in the spring of 1813, unrest against the invaders began to flare up throughout the country. In October of the same year, on the front line of this struggle, the troops of Prussia, Austria, united to establish control over Schleswig-Holstein, but in the end betrayed their ally. The defeat of the latter's army in the battle with the Prussians in Bohemia ruled out any possibility of the participation of the Austrians in building the future unified German state. Indeed, Prussia led Germany to unification: its king, Wilhelm I, was proclaimed the first all-German emperor (Kaiser).
The attitude towards the unification of the country among the ruling elites of the local monarchies was ambiguous, while the common people were seized with national euphoria. The economy was growing rapidly in the country, industry was developing, railway lines were being laid - it all looked like one big construction site! The first results were not long in coming: in coal mining and steel production, Germany not only caught up, but even surpassed the British Empire. At the same time, electrification and the chemical industry developed. Ordinary people also began to live better, since the government, not in words, but in deeds, dealt with the social problems of the unemployed and people with disabilities.
Captured German tank Sturmpanzerwagen A7V in French ParisThe relative prosperity within the state contrasted with the state of affairs outside it. By the beginning of the 20th century, relations between major players in the European arena began to come to a standstill. They spent huge amounts of money on their armed forces, which could only indicate one thing - each power was implicitly preparing for war. The formal reason was the assassination in Sarajevo of the Austro-Hungarian Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand in June 1914. Thus began the First World War. Germany, the Habsburg Empire and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. This military-political bloc was opposed by the Entente, which united Russia, Great Britain and France. Germany was preparing a crushing blow to Paris, and when it failed, the country could no longer hope for military success. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the United States of America entered the war. In the summer of 1918, the German military command admitted defeat, but the responsibility for it was placed on the civilian government that advocated peace.
The First World War also had profound domestic political consequences for Berlin. The Kaiser regime fell, it was replaced by the Weimar Republic, forced to accept the extremely unfavorable conditions of the Treaty of Versailles. Germany officially recognized its responsibility for unleashing the war, ceded the Rhine lands, returned Alsace and Lorraine to France, provided Poland with a sea corridor - access to the Baltic and pledged to pay reparations that were a heavy burden on the country's economy. Not everyone agreed with such a peace, many perceived it as a betrayal of national interests.
Meanwhile, the situation of ordinary people was rapidly deteriorating, hyperinflation ruined millions of Germans. Dissatisfaction with the government grew, and the Nazi party of Adolf Hitler took advantage of this. Hiding behind patriotic slogans, she won an overwhelming majority in the Reichstag in the 1932 elections. President Hindenburg was forced to appoint the leader of this political force as Chancellor. In order to concentrate even more power in their hands, the Nazis organized the burning of the parliament building on the night of February 27, 1933, blaming the communists for it. There is no direct evidence, but historians do not even doubt that this is their work. In the first years of the Nazi rule, the economy began to revive, the military-industrial complex developed especially rapidly. Success awaited Hitler in the foreign policy arena: when he returned the Rhine lands in 1936, the Germans began to slowly get rid of the "Versailles complex." They again began to feel like a full-fledged nation - proud and strong!
Meanwhile, the Fuhrer's appetites were growing, and in general, almost all of Western Europe was under the rule of the Nazis. In March 1938, Germany annexed Austria (Anschluss), and in November, as a result of the Munich agreement, the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, populated mainly by Germans. This country itself, with the exception of Slovakia, was transformed into a puppet Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. On September 1, 1939, the Third Reich attacked Poland - thus began the Second World War, the bloodiest in the history of mankind. On June 22, 1941, Wehrmacht troops invaded the territory of the Soviet Union: the Great Patriotic War lasted 1118 days and nights.
However, in this war unleashed by Germany, she was not destined to become the winner. On April 30, 1945, a completely demoralized Hitler committed suicide, and on May 8, 1945, the Nazi regime capitulated to the Allied forces. The red flag of the USSR proudly fluttered over the defeated Reichstag. The country was in ruins, lost some of its territories in favor of its neighbors and was divided into occupation zones - British, American, French and Soviet. The capital of the Reich, Berlin, was divided in a similar way. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was proclaimed in the western occupation zones. In the eastern lands, which were under the control of the USSR, the German Democratic Republic was formed with its capital in East Berlin. West Berlin was not included in any of the newly formed states and was under external control. Relations between the GDR and the FRG remained complex throughout the entire period of their existence.
With the beginning of perestroika in the Soviet Union in 1985, the influence of the “big brother” on East Germany significantly weakened, while the western neighbor, on the contrary, increased. Political and public sentiments in both countries leaned towards the prospect of unification, but no one thought it would happen so soon. In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell - the odious stone border between the divided parts of the city. This event was a turning point that led to the unification of the two parts of Germany already in October 1990. However, many historians consider this not an unification, but an annexation - in fact, absorption - by the Federal Republic of the territory of the GDR. According to experts, the difference in living standards between the "old" parts of Germany is still felt, although almost three decades have passed since reunification.
Due to the division of the territory, the city could not develop as a whole for more than 40 years. After the reunification of Germany, Berlin was almost immediately declared the capital of the state, but the main government offices were transferred here from Bonn only in 1999.
natural conditions
The capital of Germany is located in the eastern part of the country, between the Elbe and Oder rivers, about 180 km from the Baltic. Berlin is located on the plain surrounding the bed of the river Spree. This river flows through the entire capital. To the west of the city center, near Spandau, the river Havel joins it. Both waterways in the vicinity of Berlin flow through a series of lakes surrounded by small groves left over from ancient forests.
Since Berlin is located in the center of Europe, a continental climate prevails here. Summers are hot, winters are cold and snowy. An average of 580 mm of precipitation falls annually. The average daily temperature in summer is within + 18 ° C, in winter it drops to -1 ° C.
Population, language, religion
A feature of Berlin is the predominance of older people among the population. The death rate in the capital of Germany, both in the eastern and western parts, has exceeded the birth rate in recent decades. Over 3.5 million people live permanently in Berlin.
However, the population during this time did not decrease due to constant immigration. In the GDR, it was predominantly of an internal nature. People from other regions of the country moved to the capital of East Germany. The population of West Berlin was replenished by immigrants from the countries of the Mediterranean region, mainly from Turkey. Therefore, along with representatives of the predominant nation - the Germans, more than 500 thousand Turks live in Berlin.
After the reunification of Germany and the collapse of the USSR, a large number of citizens from the countries of the former Soviet Union moved to Germany. These were predominantly ethnic Germans, but not only them. The main language is German (Berlin dialect). The position of the dominant religion is occupied by Lutheran Protestantism (approximately 70% of the population), but Catholicism is quite widespread.
The history of development
On the territory now occupied by Berlin, people have lived since the Neolithic. In the era of the Great Migration of Peoples, no later than the 6th century, Slavic tribes occupied the lands between the Elbe and Oder rivers (the remains of ancient settlements were found in the areas of present-day Spandau and Köpenick). During the XII-XIII centuries. the Germans conquered, partially destroyed or assimilated the Slavs living in the valleys of the Spree and Havel rivers.
These rivers then had serious military and commercial importance. The Spree flows into the Oder, which carries its waters to the Baltic. The Havel is a tributary of the Elbe, which flows into the North Sea.
Berlin was founded as a trading post at the intersection of routes connecting the central regions of Europe with the Baltic and North Seas. This happened either at the end of the 12th or at the beginning of the 13th century. - the exact data is not known. Initially, two independent settlements arose on the territory of Berlin. One of them, called Berlin itself, was located north of the Spree. Another - Cologne - was located on an island in the middle of the river.
The favorable geographical position contributed to the development of trade. Berlin quickly achieved the status of a free city and entered the Hanseatic League. However, further development required cooperation efforts. In 1307, Berlin and Cologne signed an alliance agreement, and in 1432 they united, but the new formation was not as strong as expected. It should be noted that the fate of the city was affected by numerous mergers and separations of its individual parts and suburbs.
The era of free prosperity did not last long. The wealthy Berlin attracted the attention of the Hohenzollerns, the rulers of nearby Brandenburg. In the second half of the XV century. they managed to annex the city to their own possessions. In 1470, the Elector of Brandenburg made Berlin his capital.
In 1539, during the Reformation, the Hohenzollerns sided with Martin Luther. The population of the city gladly followed them. However, when a few decades later the next ruler decided to adopt Calvinism (a Protestant creed that was extremely intolerant of dissent and welcomed cruelty towards the rebellious), Berliners responded with confusion.
In 1613, a dark period began for the capital of Brandenburg, which lasted until 1648. The Thirty Years' War swept Europe, and Germany was the main theater of war. The opposing armies ravaged the country, using new for that time, draconian methods of replenishing human and food supplies. On top of that came the plague. As a result, even in relatively prosperous Berlin during the wars, the population of the city decreased by a third.
The era of the next heyday, which followed the end of the period of upheavals, is associated primarily with the name of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, who ruled for almost half a century, from 1640 to 1688. This statesman fortified his capital and laid the foundation for the creation of an aristocratic district, stretching west along the most famous street of modern Berlin - Unter den Linden.
Friedrich Wilhelm was distinguished by remarkable religious tolerance. He welcomed in his possessions religious immigrants, who at that time were many in Europe. In Brandenburg, in particular, many French Huguenots (Calvinists) found refuge. Thanks to this policy, Berlin grew and developed. In 1701, the Hohenzollerns announced the creation of the Prussian kingdom, which united all the lands of this aristocratic dynasty (they managed to get Prussia back in 1618). Elector Frederick III, who became King Frederick I, cared about the prosperity of the capital no less than his predecessor on the throne. The trends of the times called for change. Berlin, as the capital of the new state, in 1709 increased its territory at the expense of nearby cities, which included the previously mentioned Cologne. The Academy of Sciences was created. It was headed by the great mathematician and philosopher Leibniz.
The architectural appearance of Berlin has also changed. The outstanding architect Andreas Schlüter was an adherent of the Baroque style. Under his leadership, several monuments were erected in the city and a number of buildings were built, including the royal palace.
Friedrich Wilhelm I (1713-1740) and Frederick II the Great (1740-1786) continued the work of their ancestors. Berlin slowly but surely grew, especially in the western direction.
The Seven Years' War could end in disaster for Prussia, which began in 1756, when in 1760 Russian troops under the leadership of Field Marshal Saltykov entered Berlin. The Prussian army was completely defeated, and King Frederick II fled. It is not known how the fate of Germany in general and Berlin in particular would have been if it had not been for the death of the Russian Empress Elizabeth I. Peter III, who succeeded her on the throne, was in awe of the Prussian king and returned to him all the territories lost during the war. Frederick the Great was distinguished not only by military talents. He was a highly educated man and tried to win over the cooperation of the German intellectual elite. Under him, the playwright Lessing and the philosopher Mendelssohn worked fruitfully in Berlin.
The reign of Friedrich Wilhelm II (1797-1840) began during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1806, Bonaparte at Jena finally defeated the Prussian troops. The French occupied Berlin. The king was forced to go to Konigsberg. However, the era of Napoleon did not turn out to be as destructive for the capital of Prussia as it was for many other cities in Europe. In 1810 Friedrich Wilhelm University was founded. The philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt founded this educational institution (later it received the name of the founding father).
The university soon became a major educational and scientific center. The famous geographer Alexander von Humboldt and the no less famous philosopher Hegel taught here.
In 1823-1829. The appearance of Berlin has undergone another major update under the guidance of the architect Schinkel. In a few years, a number of outstanding buildings were built, among which the Old Museum stands out. 1838 became another historical milestone. The first railway in Prussia was opened, connecting the capital of the state with Potsdam. Berlin began to turn into a major railway junction of European importance. This gave impetus to the broad development of capitalist relations, which was expressed in the appearance of a large number of factories and plants.
From the middle of the XIX century. in Berlin, large-scale housing and industrial construction was carried out. There was a division of the city into specific areas. The houses of the rich part of the population were located in the west and southwest. Government offices and representative offices of the largest firms were concentrated in the center. The rest of the districts were occupied by industrial enterprises and mitskazernen - houses for workers.
The victorious Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 for the Germans. led to the complete unification of Germany. A new powerful state appeared on the world map - the German Empire. Berlin has become one of the most significant capitals for the fate of the planet.
As a result, the population of the city increased dramatically. In the 30 years that have passed since the proclamation of the empire, it has almost doubled and reached a figure of 1.9 million inhabitants (including suburbs - 2.7 million). Berlin has become one of the largest cities in the world.
The era of powerful industrial development, periodically interrupted by crises of overproduction, ended with the First World War of 1914-1918. As a result of the defeat, the Hohenzollern empire collapsed. A wave of pro-Bolshevik uprisings, known as the November Revolution, swept across Germany. The capital did not remain aloof from the unrest, but the communists failed to take power.
The more peaceful socialists won. Berlin again changed its status - it became the main city of the so-called Weimar Republic (this phrase refers to the form of government in Germany before Hitler came to power).
Life in the German capital after World War I was strikingly different from before the war. The defeat undermined the power of the German economy, one of the centers of which was Berlin. There have been changes in the scheme of administrative management.
In 1920, the capital and nearby satellite cities were merged into a single Greater Berlin, which, like modern Berlin, consisted of 20 territorial districts. At that moment, about 3.8 million people lived in the metropolis. It was located on a territory almost identical to the current one - 878 km2. Hyperinflation in Germany in the early 1920s, which was included in all economic textbooks, had a particularly acute effect on the capital. Employees of Berlin enterprises received their salaries twice a day - by the evening, the money received in the morning turned out to be worthless. They had to be spent at lunchtime. It was even worse for those who were forced to knock on the thresholds of labor exchanges. The economic difficulties of the time had far-reaching consequences. As a result of hyperinflation, the middle class, which determined the entire way of life in the capital, was significantly reduced. Many burghers joined the ranks of the unemployed: In the second half of the 1920s, marked by a worldwide economic crisis, the streets of the German capital became the scene of battles between the Nazis and the Communists. This continued until 1933, when the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP - Nazional-sozialistische deutsche arbeite Partai) became the main political force of the state as a result of elections to the Reichstag, and Adolf Hitler became the country's chancellor.
The Weimar Republic came to an end. The era of the Third Reich began. Albert Speer became the main conductor in the life of the Fuhrer's architectural ideas. The appearance of Berlin was rapidly acquiring the features of totalitarian monumentalism. Gigantomania made the Berlin construction projects of that time related to those in Moscow. For the 1936 Olympic Games, Berlin looked like a "city in an overcoat."
By May 1945, the Allied air forces had left a pile of ruins from the German capital. Particularly serious damage was done to the center. After the assault undertaken by the Soviet troops, the streets of Berlin differed little from those of Stalingrad. During the Second World War, the number of city residents decreased by more than a third: from 4.3 million (1939 data) to 2.8 million (1945 data).
On May 2, 1945, the Nazi garrison of the capital threw out the white flag, and for the third time in history, the Russians entered Berlin.
Back in November 1944, the allies agreed that the troops of the three main powers of the anti-Hitler coalition - the USSR, the USA and Great Britain (regardless of who would be the first to be in the heart of the Reich) would be brought into the capital of Germany. At the Yalta Conference (February 1945), this agreement was confirmed. Subsequently, France joined in.
The Yalta decision of the allies determined the tragedy of the post-war fate of the main city of Germany. Initially, Berlin was divided into four parts. In July 1945, the Allied Control Council and the Allied Commandant's Office began their work. These authorities consisted of representatives of the victorious countries.
The difference in approaches became apparent very soon. The leaders of the USSR assessed the joint occupation of Berlin as a temporary phenomenon and considered the entire city an integral part of the Soviet zone of occupation of Germany. Great Britain, France and the United States insisted that the Berliners should decide their future fate on their own.
The outcome of the confrontation depended on the outcome of the elections. The Social Democrats of Berlin, as in 1933, decided not to unite with the communists, who by that time had created the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), and won the majority of seats in the parliament of the capital. If the followers of Ernst Thalmann had won, the fate of the city would have been decided: it would most likely have completely passed under the control of the Soviet troops. However, this did not happen.
Negotiations about the post-war fate of Germany, which had been going on for several years, did not lead to the general consent of the victorious powers. In the summer of 1948, almost simultaneously in the western part of Germany and in West Berlin, a monetary reform was carried out. This was the beginning of an escalation of tension. Soviet troops surrounded West Berlin, cutting off the population and the garrison from land supply routes. The only thing left is the airway. The blockade lasted a little less than a year and was only lifted in May 1949, when the German Democratic Republic (GDR) arose on the site of the Soviet zone of occupation and the border with the western zones of occupation was closed.
By that time, the split had long been formalized. Back in September 1948, the Communists, supported by Soviet troops, seized the premises of the city's civil administration. The legally elected authorities of Berlin were forced to relocate to the western part of the capital. Two months later, a second administration arose in the city. In the early 1950s the rebuilding of Berlin began. The work was carried out equally intensively both in the eastern and western parts of the city. The GDR authorities started from Karl-Marx-Allee (Frankfurter-Allee) and the center. Monumentalism remained the dominant architectural style, only now of the Stalinist persuasion.
In June 1953, builders stopped working in East Berlin. The strike was the signal for the start of the uprising. However, the Soviet troops were able to quickly bring the situation under control.
Until August 1961, it was quite easy to get from the GDR to West Berlin. The flow of refugees grew and expanded until the famous Berlin Wall was built - 162 km of barrier structures, 45 km of which passed directly through the city. The authorities of the GDR interrupted telephone lines with West Berlin and tried to stop transit ground transportation between the western part of the city and the FRG Despite this, West Berlin was actively rebuilt. A modern business district has been created in the center. In the parts of the city bordering the wall, as in East Berlin, residential neighborhoods were built.
The development of the city was seriously hampered by the difficult international situation. The situation was more or less settled only in 1971, when the USSR, the USA, Great Britain and France managed to come to a quadripartite agreement. The stumbling block was the question of West Berlin belonging to the FRG. In the end, the NATO countries confirmed its special, separate status. In turn, the USSR recognized the admissibility of ties between West Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany.
In 1990, the GDR joined the FRG. The Berlin Wall was destroyed. The city regained its integrity.
cultural significance
Berlin is a cultural center of world importance. The division of the capital of Germany gave rise to a peculiar situation, when the individual cultural institutions of the city somewhat duplicate each other, without losing their amateur value.
In the capital of Germany there are many architectural monuments of various eras starting from the 13th century. There could have been more of them, but during the Second World War the city suffered very serious destruction. In addition, both the center and other areas were repeatedly rebuilt. Of the monuments, one can single out the symbol of Berlin - the Brandenburg Gate, erected in 1788-1791; concert hall Schaushpilhaus, an architectural monument of the early 19th century; the palaces of Bellevue (XVIII century, the residence of the President of Germany is located there) and Charlottenburg; restored Reichstag building. Impressive new modern city center - Potsdamer Platz. Part of the collections of the Berlin State Museums in 1945 was taken to other cities in Germany, part was outside the country. However, Berlin's museums still hold many priceless treasures of culture and art.
In connection with the division of the country, a kind of redistribution of exhibits took place. Most of the cultural monuments exported to West Germany ended up in West Berlin museums. However, a number of museums in the eastern part of the city have retained the core of their collections. The most significant of them are concentrated in the area called the Island of Museums. The Pergamon Museum contains ancient monuments, in particular an altar from the Pergamon Temple of Zeus. The National Gallery presents fine art of the 18th-20th centuries. On the Unter den Lindei is the Zeughaus ("Arsenal"), which hosts a permanent exhibition on the history of Germany. The baroque building itself is an architectural monument of the 17th century. The rich collection of the Merkish Museum is dedicated to the history of Berlin.
On Unter den Linden is the German State (Old) Library, founded in 1780. Its storage contains over 7 million volumes. After the restoration of the halls destroyed during the war, many cultural treasures went to Charlottenburg, a palace built at the end of the 17th century. for the wife of the Prussian king Frederick I. The Egyptian Museum is also located here, where the head of Queen Nefertiti is exhibited. A number of museums - Islamic art, East Asian art, Indian art, ethnography - are located in Dahlem.
The National Gallery has a rich collection of Western art. The State Library of the Prussian Cultural Heritage and the Philharmonic are located in the same area. The building of the court chamber, built in the 18th century, is used as the Museum of the History of Berlin.
The largest exhibition of contemporary art is located in the premises of the Hamburg railway station. The building was restored in 1990-1995. The exhibition area is about 10,000 km2. In the theatrical life of the capital, the German State Opera sets the tone (next to it stands the Catholic Cathedral of St. Schiller-theater, located in Charlottenburg.
Among the educational institutions stand out the Humboldt University, a technical university founded in 1879, the Higher School of Music and Drama, the Higher School of Arts, as well as the Free University, created in 1948 by teachers and students who emigrated from the eastern part of the capital. The latter is located in Dahlem - in the same place as the Max Planck Research Institute.
There are two zoos in Berlin. Steglitz is home to a botanical garden. Of the sports facilities, one can single out the stadium erected for the opening of the 1936 Olympic Games.
Information for tourists
Berlin is a tourist center of a global scale. The capital of Germany is of such significant importance, primarily due to the large number of cultural and historical values concentrated here. The city has a very well developed tourist infrastructure. Hotels and catering establishments are designed for a wide variety of audiences, ranging from those who save on everything to very wealthy people.
A Schengen visa is required to travel to Berlin. Customs rules are similar to those that apply when crossing the borders of most EU countries. Currency - euro. Save time and money with the Berlin-Potsdam Welcome Card, which gives you free travel on public transport in the capital and its immediate surroundings. In addition, the tourist receives a significant discount when visiting various exhibitions, theaters, museums. The card is valid for 72 hours.
The city has a lot of shopping centers, they are located throughout Berlin. Fashion boutiques are mostly located in the Prenzlauer Berg area.
And Poland. In the south it is bordered by Austria (border length 784 km) and Switzerland (334 km). In the west - with the Netherlands (577 km), France (451 km), Belgium (167) and Luxembourg (138 km). In the east - with Poland (456 km) and the Czech Republic (646 km). In the north, Germany borders on Denmark (68 km) and is washed by the North and Baltic Seas.
Germany is a beautiful and majestic country. Its rich history still amazes many historians. Germany is the birthplace of many of the most outstanding and brilliant people. It is enough to recall such well-known names as Goethe, Beethoven, Bach and many other world-famous names. Germany can rightly be called a great place on earth, where great people are born.
Many are surprised by one interesting fact - how is the German economy developing? The high rates of economic development can be explained by the fact that Germany cooperates in open markets with countries such as France, the United States and Great Britain. It is to these countries that Germany exports most of its goods. To date, Germany has been able to fully prove that its economy is highly competitive.
If we talk about the peculiarities of Germany's position in the world, it is worth noting that this country is one of the most active and active members of the European Union. On the world stage, Germany has long established itself as one of the most stable countries, and won universal respect.
The greatest length from north to south is 876 km, from west to east - 640 km. The extreme points of the borders: in the north - the village of List on the island of Sylt, in the east - the Saxon village of Deshka, in the south - the Bavarian village of Oberstdorf and in the west - the village of Zelfkant (North Rhine-Westphalia). The total length of the border is 3621 km, the length of the coastline is 2389 km. The total area of the country is 356,957 sq. km.
May 23, 1949 is considered to be the founding day of the republic. - the day of the adoption and entry into force of the Constitution of the country. On October 3, 1990, the GDR joined the scope of the Basic Law. In June 1991, Berlin was declared the capital. The transfer of the government and parliament of the united Germany from Bonn to Berlin was almost completed in 1999. The national flag is black-red-gold. Coat of arms with an eagle. The national holiday - German Unity Day - is celebrated on October 3rd. The anthem of Germany is “The Song of the Germans” (music by Haydn, lyrics by G. Hoffmann von Fullersleben).
The cities and lands of Germany are very attractive for tourists from many countries. One of the most attractive states is Bavaria, which is also called the "beer land". Oktoberfest, Neuschwanstein Castle and the opulent decoration of the Alps attract more foreign tourists here than in any other land. However, the slogan "Laptop and leather pants" shows: Bavaria is something more than just living traditions. Its economy (which surpasses that of Sweden in its power) is famous for such world brands as BMW, Audi, Siemens, MAN and EADS (Airbus). The Bavarian capital, Munich, is home to more publishing houses than any other German city. But Germany's largest federal state also shines beyond the metropolitan area.
The cathedrals of Germany will amaze you with their beauty and majesty. It is there that you can hear the divine sounds of a real organ. You should definitely visit the small town of Amberg. It is famous for its theatre, which is housed in a former Gothic church. And, of course, Germany is famous for its national art - beer brewing. Only in this country you can taste the most delicious beer on Earth.
The official language is German. The monetary unit is the euro (since 2002, in 1948–2001 the German mark). Population - 82.5 million people. (October 2002). The natural population growth in the country is 0.5 and is one of the lowest in the world. The average life expectancy for men is 73 years, for women - 78 years. The ethnic composition of the population is not so diverse: 96% are Germans. In addition to them, 1,000,000 Turks, 600,000 immigrants from the former Yugoslav republics, 570,000 Italians, 200,000 Spaniards, 170,000 Austrians, 120,000 Portuguese, 80,000 Danes, 70,000 Americans live in the country, 60 thousand French, 50 thousand English, 30 thousand Jews, 20 thousand Russians, etc.
Christianity prevails in the country: Protestantism - 40%, Catholicism - 35%; Islam - 3%. In administrative-territorial terms, Germany consists of 16 lands, each of which has its own capital, constitution, parliament and government.
The federal lands are divided into old and new, in addition there are three cities - independent states - these are Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg. The new federal states include: Schleswig-Holstein (Kiel), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Schwerin), Brandenburg (Potsdam), Saxony (Dresden), Saxony-Anhalt (Magdeburg), Thuringia (Erfurt) and the state-state of Berlin. The old federal states are: Lower Saxony (Hanover), North Rhine-Westphalia (Düsseldorf), Rhineland-Palatinate (Mainz), Hesse (Wiesbaden), Saarland (Saarbrücken), Baden-Wüttemberg (Stuttgart) and Bavaria (Munich) and two land-states - Bremen and Hamburg. The head of state is the president, the head of government is the federal chancellor. The legislative body is the Bundestag, the representative bodies of the lands are the Bundesrat.
History of Germany
Until the end V century there was no state on the territory of modern Germany. Only after the Frankish leader Clovis defeated the Romans did he create a kingdom that included most of Gaul and southwestern Germany. Charlemagne united the Saxon, Bavarian, Rhine, Frankish and other lands in his empire. However, after his death, the great empire collapsed, and its eastern part became the German Empire. Under Friedrich I Barbarossa in the middle XII century, the borders of the German Empire expanded significantly. At the beginning XVI century in Germany there was a split along religious lines. At that time, Martin Luther began his activity. As a result of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), Germany was split into several dozen principalities and kingdoms, the most influential of which was Prussia. After several successful military campaigns and international treaties, the Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck actually restored the German Empire and declared the king of Prussian Wilhelm I German Emperor (Kaiser). The German Empire reached its peak by 1914.
But after the defeat in the First World War, the country lost part of its lands and was subject to a huge indemnity. In 1919, Germany was proclaimed a republic and, according to the constitution adopted in the city of Weimar, was called the Weimar Republic. The difficult economic situation of the country and the general world crisis brought the Nazis, led by Hitler, to power in 1932, unleashing the Second World War (1939-1945). After the war, Germany was divided into two parts. In 1949–1990 the capitalist Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) existed in the western part of the country, and the socialist German Democratic Republic (GDR) existed in the eastern part. In 1990, they were united within modern borders. Germany is currently a democratic republic. The head of state is the federal president, who performs mainly representative functions. Legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament, consisting of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. Executive power is vested in the federal government, headed by the chancellor, a representative of the party that won the election. Administratively, Germany is divided into 16 states.
Economy of Germany
Economically, Germany is a highly developed industrial country. Brown and hard coal, oil, natural gas, polymetallic ores, potash and sodium chloride are being mined. Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, various mechanical engineering: machine tool building, electrical engineering and radio electronics, instrumentation, automotive and shipbuilding and others. Powerful chemical and petrochemical industry. The woodworking, light, food industries, the production of porcelain products, and musical instruments are well developed. High-intensity agriculture with a predominance of animal industries (pig and dairy farming). Crop production specializes in the production of grain, sugar beets, and potatoes. Hop growing. Winemaking. Fish farming.
Landmarks of Germany
Germany is an integral state relatively recently; before that, for centuries, the country was made up of scattered principalities, counties and monarchies. As a result, Germany has several main cities, each with its own unique character, shaped by its history and surrounding area. In each city, you will not only enter a completely different world with a special architectural style and artistic riches, but also experience the style of life peculiar only to this city.
Speaking about the north of Germany, it is necessary to mention the cities of Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck, whose prosperity was brought by maritime trade. The capital Berlin is deservedly one of the most popular destinations, regardless of the purpose of the trip, whether it is a cultural program, business or just entertainment. In the center of the country, Hannover deserves attention, and in the east there are true pearls - Leipzig, Weimar, Schwerin and Dresden. The latter, although heavily bombed, retained much of its pre-war architectural heritage. Moving south, you will pass Nuremberg, the birthplace of the famous German painter Dürer, and sooner or later you will arrive in Munich, the capital city of beer and art, where the famous Pinakotheks are located. Munich can serve as an excellent starting point for exploring the treasures of Bavaria. Don't miss the cute cities of southwestern Germany - Freiburg, Heidelberg and Tübingen. French influence is still felt in the west of the country. Discover Bonn, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Trier - Germany's oldest city and former capital of the Roman Empire.
Useful data for tourists about Germany, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Germany, the cuisine, the features of visa and customs restrictions in Germany.
Geography of Germany
Germany - a state in Central Europe, borders on Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is washed by the North and Baltic seas.
The territory of Germany is divided into three large areas, largely due to the nature of the relief: the North German Plain - in the north, the mountains of Central Germany - in the center and the Alps - in the south.
Most of the south-west of Germany is occupied by the Jura mountains and the vast forest of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest). In the extreme south are the Bavarian Alps, where the highest point in Germany is located - Mount Sügspitze (2962 m).
The main river is the Rhine, among the numerous tributaries of which are the Main, Ruhr, Mosel, Neckar, Lahn. The other two rivers are the Danube in the south of the country and the Elbe with a tributary of the Neisse in eastern Germany. There are few large lakes in Germany. The largest is Lake Constance, partly lying in Austria and Switzerland.
State
State structure
Federal Republic. The head of state is the federal president. The head of government is the federal chancellor.
Language
State language: German
English and French are also used.
Religion
Protestants (mostly Lutherans) - 36%, Catholics - 35%, Muslims - 2%, Jews.
Currency
International name: EUR
History of Germany
The first inhabitants of Germany bore little resemblance to its modern inhabitants. It took a long 500 thousand years before the Germans themselves came here in the 1st millennium BC. However, they did not linger here for a long time and in the 1st century BC rushed to the south. The weakening of the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD contributed to their settlement almost throughout Europe. At the same time, the first German states began to take shape. One of them was the Frankish kingdom. Its rulers during the 6th-8th centuries completed the unification of the Germanic tribes, and in 800 Charlemagne proclaimed the creation of an empire. In 843, it broke up into independent states. In the eastern part, the German kingdom proper developed. His main foreign policy task was the revival of the lost empire of Charles. In 962, German troops managed to take Rome, and the "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" appeared on the map of Europe. Its heyday came in the XII-XIII centuries.
The extraordinary strengthening of large feudal lords helped accelerate the decentralization of the country, which had ceased to be a single political body already in the 13th century. The capitalist economy developed rapidly in the southwestern regions. In the 16th century, this region became the main center of Protestantism and actively supported the preaching of Martin Luther. Thus, the socio-economic split deepened at the expense of the religious one and for several centuries delayed the political unification of the country and its economic development. The attempt of the Austrian emperors in the 18th century to suppress the separatism of the free regions did not lead to positive results, but in this century another unifying center was clearly identified - Prussia. From the middle of the 19th century, it gathered disparate principalities into a single whole, and after victories in the Franco-Prussian War over Austria and France, which held back centralization, in 1871 announced the creation of an all-German Reich-Empire with its capital in Berlin.
As long as the leading international positions in the economy were in the hands of England, France, Russia and the United States, Germany could not count on European domination. The result of these contradictions was the First World War. The victory of France and England slowed down the development of Germany, transferred it to a secondary position in world politics and thus gave rise to the growth of the national-revanchist aspirations of the German people. On the wave of such sentiments, in 1933, the Nazis, led by A. Hitler, came to power in Berlin, who unleashed the Second World War. Participation in the anti-Hitler coalition of the USSR led in 1949 to the split of Germany into the FRG and the GDR. A pro-Soviet regime was established in the GDR, hindering unification. With the collapse of the USSR in the late 80s and early 90s, the reunification of the country became possible.
The first inhabitants of Germany bore little resemblance to its modern inhabitants. It took a long 500 thousand years before the Germans themselves came here in the 1st millennium BC. However, they did not linger here for a long time and in the 1st century BC rushed to the south. The weakening of the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD contributed to their settlement almost throughout Europe. At the same time, the first German states began to take shape. One of them was the Frankish kingdom. Its rulers during the 6th-8th centuries completed the unification of the Germanic tribes, and in 800 Charlemagne proclaimed the creation of an empire. In 843, it broke up into independent states. In the eastern part, the German kingdom proper developed. His main foreign policy task was the revival of the lost empire of Charles. In 962, German troops managed to take Rome, and the "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" appeared on the map of Europe. Its heyday came in the XII-XIII centuries. ...
Popular Attractions
Tourism in Germany
Where to stay
Today, finding and booking a hotel room in Germany will not be a problem. In both large and small tourist towns, you will be offered a wide range of accommodation options. The cost depends on the level of the hotel and its location relative to tourist attractions. The gradation of hotels in Germany is the same as in other European countries - according to the number of stars. However, it is worth considering that the stars indicate the number of services offered rather than the level of service. Therefore, if you decide to stay in a small hotel with one star, this does not mean that you have made the wrong choice. It just won't have an elevator, swimming pool, gym, etc. But the service in Germany is always at a high level. In Germany, there are hotels of world chains that offer a high level of comfort and appropriate prices.
Among tourists who prefer home comfort, boarding houses and guesthouses are very popular. They are usually a restaurant on the ground floor and rented rooms on the upper floors of the same building. You can choose from a small family-type guesthouse with a quite ascetic interior and low cost, as well as luxurious, carefully restored rooms in traditional village or city houses.
In every big city, as well as in many small settlements, you can find youth hotels that offer affordable prices for accommodation, minimal amenities, but at the same time comfort and cleanliness. Please note that only active members of the Youth Hostel Association are entitled to stay in such a hotel.
There are about 2 thousand campsites in Germany, so it will not be difficult for lovers of recreation on wheels to find a place to spend the night. The campsite has a kitchen, showers, toilets and other amenities.
Accommodation in rural houses will become cheap and colorful. Farmers will offer you not only accommodation, but also organic products, the opportunity to participate in agricultural work.
For those who prefer outdoor activities, mountain shelters and camp sites in Germany offer a high level of service and quite reasonable prices. Fans of family holidays or holidays with friends will find apartments very convenient for accommodation.
Popular hotels
Tours and attractions in Germany
Germany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It is famous for its rich historical and cultural heritage and is rightfully considered one of the most interesting European countries. Germany is magnificent palaces and castles, stunningly beautiful churches and monasteries, world-famous museums, the picturesque Rhine Valley, beautiful lakes, the majestic Alps and the Baltic coast, and, of course, the famous German breweries.
Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a very beautiful city with numerous parks and squares, as well as an important cultural center of the country. The landmark of the city and the symbol of the country are the famous Brandenburg Gate. Among the main attractions of Berlin are the Berlin Cathedral, the Reichstag, the Red Town Hall, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, St. Mary's Church, Bellevue Palace, Charlottenburg Palace, St. Hedwig's Cathedral, St. largest in the world). The pride of Berlin, of course, is a huge number of amazing museums - the Old National Gallery, the Bode Museum, the Pergamon Museum, the Old and New Museums located on Museum Island. No less interesting are the New National Gallery, the Berlin Art Gallery, the Berlin-Dahlem Museum Center and many others. Berlin hosts many different festivals, exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events. In the vicinity of the capital, it is worth visiting the picturesque Potsdam and its famous palaces.
The "pearl" of the ancient city of Cologne is the famous Cologne Cathedral - a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of the most famous sights in Germany. However, in Cologne you will find many beautiful churches, among which, perhaps, the most interesting are the Church of St. Martin, the Church of St. Panteleimon, the Church of St. Andrew, the Apostolic Church, the Church of St. Gereon and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with unique frescoes of the 13th century. Among other attractions of the city, it is worth highlighting the City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, the Ludwig Museum, the Roman-German Museum, the Schnutgen Museum and the Chocolate Museum. Not far from Cologne is "Fantasy Land" - one of the largest entertainment complexes in Germany.
Bavaria, the largest federal state in Germany, is also very popular. Its magnificent natural landscapes and the mass of cultural and historical attractions annually attract a huge number of tourists. Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is one of the most interesting cities in the country. Its heart and one of the main attractions is the central square of the city - Marienplatz. The Old and New Town Halls are also located here. Of great interest are also the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Frauenkirche Cathedral), St. Peter's Church, Nymphenburg Palace, the Wittelsbach Palace Complex (Residence), Maximilianeum, St. garden. You should definitely visit the Old and New Pinakotheks (one of the best art galleries in Europe), the Glyptothek, the Bavarian National Museum, the Deutsches Museum and Villa Stuck.
In the vicinity of Munich is the fashionable ski resort Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Lego amusement park in the town of Günzburg. The most interesting places in Bavaria, of course, include the cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg and Füssen, near which are the famous castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.
German cities such as Dresden, Hamburg, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Baden-Baden are also very popular. However, even in the smallest town you will find interesting sights and unforgettable impressions.
German cuisine
German cuisine is distinguished by a wide variety of dishes from various vegetables, pork, poultry, game, veal, beef and fish. A lot of vegetables are consumed, especially in boiled form, as a side dish - cauliflower, bean pods, carrots, red cabbage, etc.
Sandwiches with various products are extremely popular with Germans: butter, cheese, sausage, curd mass, fish, etc. The assortment of snacks includes vegetable salads, ham, sausages, sprats, sardines, herring dishes with various sauces, meat and fish salads seasoned with mayonnaise, etc.
From the first courses, various broths are widespread: with eggs, dumplings, rice and tomatoes; noodle soup, cream soup of peas, cauliflower, chicken and game. In some parts of Germany, bread and beer soups are popular. In winter, thick meat soups "eintopfs" are especially good.
The widespread use of sausages, frankfurters, sausages is a characteristic feature of German cuisine. Sausages with stewed sauerkraut are known all over the world.
Another characteristic feature of German cuisine is the widespread use of natural meat for the preparation of second courses. Such, for example, are cutlets and schnitzels, chops, Hamburg fillets, razbraty, Schmorbraten, Schnelklops, Hamburg steak, etc. Chopped meat is used somewhat less. Fish is served most often in boiled and stewed form.
From sweet dishes, fruit salads made from finely chopped fruits are popular, which are sprinkled with powdered sugar and poured over with fruit sauces or syrups (serve them very chilled); compotes, jelly, jelly, mousses, all kinds of casseroles with fruit sauces, ice cream, fruits and, of course, natural coffee with milk.
The national German drink is beer. This ancient drink is even dedicated to the festival, held annually in the fall, Oktoberfest. Germans and tourists from all over the world gather in Munich for three weeks. Hundreds of thousands of sausages, pork cartilage, fried chicken are consumed at the festival, and washed down with over 10,000,000 beers provided by six breweries in Munich!
German cuisine is distinguished by a wide variety of dishes from various vegetables, pork, poultry, game, veal, beef and fish. A lot of vegetables are consumed, especially in boiled form, as a side dish - cauliflower, bean pods, carrots, red cabbage, etc....
Tips
Tips are approximately 10% of the bill.
Visa
Office Hours
The day off for museums is usually Monday. On the rest of the week, the standard opening hours of museums are from 9 am to 6 pm. A lunch break is possible. On Tuesday and Wednesday, many museums are open until late.
Standard store hours are from 9 or 9.15 to 18.30 on weekdays and until 14.00 on Saturday. Large department stores may be open longer. On Thursday evenings, many shops are open until 20.30.
On weekdays, banks are usually open from 8.30 or 9 am to 2 or 3 pm (on Thursday - until 5 or 6 pm) with an hour break for lunch.
Purchases
All goods in Germany are subject to value added tax (19% of the price of goods). Tourists are exempt from it. The return procedure is as follows: in the store you need to take a “tax free check” certificate. When leaving the country, at the airport or railway station, you must present the goods, a certificate and a foreign passport with a short-term visa to the cash desk "Kundendienst" (customer service) or at the counter with the inscription "tax free tov tourists". In this case, the tourist receives an amount equal to the value added tax.
Emergency Phones
Ambulance (24/7) - 112 (free of charge)
Fire department - 112 (free)
Police - 110 (free)
Questions and opinions about Germany
Hamburg - Q&A
Dresden - Q&A
