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Berlin 2016

From the 26th-28th of February 2016, we were lucky enough to spend the weekend in Berlin as part of our study of European history. As the capital city of Germany, Berlin has been a focal point of numerous major historical events, particularly during the war years of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

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Written by Casey Boswell and Beatrice Crowley, Year 12

From the 26th-28th of February 2016, we were lucky enough to spend the weekend in Berlin as part of our study of European history. As the capital city of Germany, Berlin has been a focal point of numerous major historical events, particularly during the war years of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

We were fortunate to be located on Potsdamer Platz, granting us quick access to all the major sites of the city. However, up until 1989, it was an area of wasteland, colloquially referred to as ‘No Man’s Land’. It once served as the area between the wall that separated East and West Berlin, completely desolate and it remained in this state until the wall fell. After staying here, it is difficult to believe that just twenty seven years ago, this area of wasteland served as a place where many were killed in vain as they struggled to reach the Western side of the city. Today, Potsdamer Platz is a bustling corner of Berlin. Upon our late night arrival in Berlin, we were encouraged to explore the area surrounding our hotel. Such a vast range of buildings and landmarks met our eyes. Old fragments of the wall sat parallel to pristine multi storey buildings, and this really made you consider how the stern control of the Allied forces in this city post World War Two was present not so far in the past. On the same evening, we came across the iconic Brandenburg Gate – arguably one of Germany’s most notable monuments. The sight of the gate at night was utterly spectacular, and inspired excitement within us all for what the remainder of the trip would bring.

Day Two in Berlin began with a tour of the city, during which we were given the opportunity to stop off and look around for ourselves. Our tour guide a very memorable, as a woman who grew up in East Berlin, she gave us a fascinating and, a times, deeply personal insight into life in Berlin when it was a city split in two. However, through our guide’s childhood
stories it became much simpler to visualise life in Berlin during this era as she explained the implications that it had upon her everyday life. For the two of us, we were struck by how we take our own freedom and ability to travel for granted. In the afternoon, we made a tour of the Reichstag building. The Reichstag played a hugely significant role in the rise of Hitler, and so this visit was paramount for the group as the Nazi period is one which had been studied in depth since year eleven for many of us. Considering it’s prominence in history, it was strange to see how contemporary the building was.

Much to our disappointment, our final day was soon upon us. We left the hotel early to embark on our tour of Sachenhausen Concentration Camp. The sheer scale of Sachenhausen camp is enough to make you stop instantly in your tracks. The clear structure of the camp’s layout provides evidence for the facts that the persecution of so many was systematic and planned, something which lays bare the cold nature of the Nazi regime. The sights of narrow beds in wooden barracks are enough to stir up feelings of anger towards such events.

Our visit to Berlin concluded with The Story of Berlin Museum. This museum was unique in the fact that is strayed from the conventions of a typical museum, and it portrayed Berlin through the ages in a rich and vivid way. Both of us are able to say with confidence that our visit to Berlin was easily the most engaging trip we have had the opportunity to take part in. it enhanced our grasp of German history and it’s place within worldwide affairs, and we are sure this will assist us as we take our A2 exam at the end of this school year.