The Palast der Republik, the old East German parliament building. It is seen by some as ugly, but it does have its history and positive connotations - in addition to functioning as the government center, there were restaurants, shops, clubs, and concerts took place there in the 1980s. The Palast der Republik is built on the site of the Berlin City Palace, which was demolished by the Communists.
The Fernsehturm, the TV tower, the highest building in the city at 368 m (1207 ft), and the second largest structure in Europe (after Moscow's Ostankino Tower). The Fernsehturm is easily visible throughout most of the central districts of Berlin.
Alexanderplatz, formerly East Berlin's major shopping center, and home to the Centrum-Warenhaus, which was the DDR's department store. It is now a thoroughly westernized shopping center.
Checkpoint Charlie, remains and a museum about one of the crossing points (albeit restricted to Allied forces) in the Berlin Wall. The museum exhibits interesting material about people who devised ingenious plans to leave the East.
3.3 Sights of modern Berlin
Potsdamer Platz, an entire quarter constructed from scratch after 1995. The historic Potsdamer Platz was not rebuilt as it was divided by the Wall. A must-see for people who like modern city planning.
Hackescher Markt , Spandauer Vorstadt and Scheunenviertel, the home to fashionable culture, with countless small clothing shops, clubs, bars, and galleries. This includes the New Synagogue area in Oranienburger Straße (originally built in the 1860s in Moorish style with a large golden dome, and reconstructed in 1993), and the Hackesche Höfe , a conglomeration of several buildings around several courtyards, nicely reconstructed after 1996. This area was a centre of Jewish culture before the Nazis.
3.4 Sights with panoramic views
Berliner Funkturm— the only observation tower of the world, standing on insulators!
Berlin Television Tower[2] — the 368 meter high television tower, built in 1969 is situated close to Alexanderplatz. From its observation platform at 204 meters hight the whole city can bee seen.
Grunewaldturm[3] — the historic tower is 59 meters high, situated on hill in Grunewald forest close to the lake Wannsee.
Französischer Dom [4] — located on Gendarmenmarkt in the very heart of the city, the platform of the cathedral offers a unique view.
Berliner Dom[5] — next to Lustgarten the Berlin Cathedral offers a circular platform outside the dome.
Bell Tower at the Olympic Stadium [6] — being part of the Reichssportfeld, the tower offers a view at the Olympic Stadium and the Waldbühne.
Siegessäule[7] — the monument on Großer Stern in the middle of the Tiergarten was relocated there in 1938/39. Before it was situated in front of the Reichstag.
