In this house, the act of Germany’s surrender was signed on May 9, 1945, bringing the war in Europe to an end. Today, the site serves as a museum that preserves this moment and explains the wider history attached to it.
The museum focuses on the war between Germany and the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1945. Exhibits trace the scale of the conflict, the military campaigns, and the impact on soldiers and civilians. Maps, documents, and personal stories help explain how the Eastern Front shaped the outcome of the war.
Another key theme is the relationship between the GDR and the Soviet Union after 1945, and later between unified Germany and Russia. Displays follow diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges, and tensions over the decades, offering context for how political life shifted from occupation to partnership and, at times, disagreement.
Several original rooms have been preserved, including spaces connected to the surrender ceremony. These interiors provide a direct sense of the moment when hostilities ceased in Europe.
The permanent exhibition presents the core narrative of 1941–1945 and its aftermath, while special exhibitions highlight specific topics, anniversaries, or newly researched stories. Together, they combine artifacts, photographs, film, and testimony to connect major events with everyday experiences.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Berlin-Karlshorst
Official residence of the (largely ceremonial) President of Germany since 1994. Only Roman Herzog (president 1994-1999) actually lived here, his successors have preferred a quiet apartment on the outskirts of Berlin, but this is where the president will usually host guests and do public events. Guided tours are possible, but plan to book up to nine months ahead and be prepared for having to reschedule if the president decides to hold an event on short notice which preempts tours.
Small park in the heart of West Berlin. Great place to chill on a sunny day. There are many great cafés and restaurants nearby. Linger over a coffee here and watch people passing by.
A splendid 15th-century Gothic church with many fine accoutrements.
The area to the north of Tiergarten, along the bow of the river Spree (Spreebogen), is home to the German federal institutions such as the parliament (Bundestag, in the historic Reichstag building) and the federal government, as well as the new central train station (Hauptbahnhof) across the river.
Oderberger Straße is known for its beautiful and generous Gründerzeit architecture, as well as its cafés and restaurants. Since before Germany's reunification the street has been the desired place for alternative folks and avant-gardists, but the area has seen continual gentrification since the early 2000s.
It was a museum of applied arts and a listed historical monument since 1966, and it is now a well-known Berlin exhibition hall.
Germany's national centre for contemporary non-European art. The house is a leading centre for the contemporary arts and a venue for projects breaking through artistic boundaries. This architectural landmark was an American contribution to the international building exhibition INTERBAU 1957 as an embodiment of the free exchange of ideas. Colloquially called Schwangere Auster (Pregnant Oyster).
Heritage listed Art Nouveau railway station and charming surrounding city square.
Designed by Hans Poelzig in 1929, it is the first self-contained broadcasting house in the world and it is still in use today.
Also known as "Picasso und seine Zeit", this not so large, but precious museum hosts a very good collection of paintings and sculptures signed by Picasso, Klee, Matisse, Giacometti, and others from the first decades of the 20th century.
The Bierpinsel ("beer brush") is a building in Steglitz which resembles an observation tower and is famous for its pop-art appearance. The futuristic, landmarked building was built from 1972 to 1976 and has since been used as restaurant, night club, bar, radio station and art café.
Millions of visitors leaving East Berlin by train said tearful goodbyes to their friends and relatives from the East at this former border checkpoint. Hardly a year after the wall came down, the building was turned into a nightclub until it was forced to close in 2006. It re-opened as a museum in September 2011 and now houses a permanent exhibition that brings the absurd normality of everyday life in the divided city back to life.