Berlin history

The history of Berlin is a journey from a humble trading settlement in a marshy terrain to one of Europe's key capitals. The city grew from two small centres that eventually merged to become the core of a future metropolis.

Founding and First Mentions

The city emerged as a twin settlement: Cölln, located on an island in the Spree River, and Berlin on its eastern bank. The first documentary mention of Cölln dates back to 1237, which is considered the official founding date of the city, while Berlin was first mentioned in chronicles in 1244. By 1307, these two towns had united, establishing a common town hall and laying the foundation for joint development.

Key Factors of Formation

Early Berlin owed its growth to several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Its position on the Spree River, which was navigable and connected to other waterways, made the city a natural trading hub.
• Trade: Initially, it was a centre for commerce, primarily in grain and timber. For a time, the city was even part of the Hanseatic League, which strengthened its economic ties.
• Political Power: A decisive moment in the city's history was its transformation into the residence of the Elector Princes of the Hohenzollern dynasty in the 15th century. This gave Berlin capital status and shifted the focus from trade to court service and administration.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Transferring the residence of the rulers of Brandenburg to Berlin changed its economic profile—simple trade was replaced by the production of luxury goods for the nobility. The city received a significant cultural and demographic boost in the late 17th century when, following the Edict of Potsdam in 1685, thousands of Huguenots—French Protestants—arrived. They brought with them new crafts, technologies, and cultural traditions, contributing to Berlin's transformation into a more multifaceted and developed centre.

Key Dates in the History of Berlin

Berlin's history is saturated with events that shaped not only the city itself but all of Europe. From a medieval trading post to a symbol of reunification, here is a brief chronology of its journey.

• 1237 — The first documentary mention of the sister town Cölln; this date is considered the year of Berlin's founding.
• 1451 — Berlin becomes the official residence of the Margraves of Brandenburg from the Hohenzollern dynasty, cementing its capital status.
• 1685 — Elector Frederick William issues the Edict of Potsdam, inviting French Huguenots to the city, which gave a powerful impulse to the development of crafts and culture.
• 1701 — The city receives the status of the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, beginning a new chapter of its rise.
• 1871 — Following the unification of Germany, Berlin is proclaimed the capital of the German Empire, turning into one of the world's leading political and industrial centres.
• 1920 — The "Greater Berlin" Act is passed, merging the city with its suburbs and making it the third most populous metropolis in the world at that time.
• 1945 — After the end of World War II, the city is divided into four occupation sectors among the Allied powers: the USSR, the USA, the UK, and France.
• 1948–1949 — The blockade of West Berlin and the organisation of the "Berlin Airlift" to supply it become one of the first major crises of the Cold War.
• 1961 — On August 13, the construction of the Berlin Wall begins, physically dividing the city into eastern and western parts for 28 years.
• 1989 — On November 9, the fall of the Berlin Wall occurs, becoming a symbol of the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the German reunification process.
• 1991 — The Bundestag decides to move the capital of united Germany from Bonn back to Berlin, restoring the city's historical role.

Stages of Berlin's Transformation

The history of Berlin is not just a change of eras, but a series of deep transformations, each leaving an indelible mark on its culture, architecture, and economy. Here are several key milestones that defined the appearance and character of the modern city.

• Capital of the Enlightenment (18th Century): Becoming the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, Berlin turned into a centre of science and culture. Under Frederick the Great, the city became a haven for philosophers and thinkers, earning the nickname "Athens on the Spree". This period laid the foundation for intellectual and architectural flourishing, defining the city's capital status for centuries to come.
• Industrial Boom (19th Century): The Industrial Revolution turned Berlin into one of Europe's main industrial centres. The rapid growth of factories, the development of the railway network, and mass migration from rural areas radically changed the social and economic landscape of the city. Berlin became a giant city, a centre of innovation and the labour movement.
• "Greater Berlin" of 1920: The adoption of the "Greater Berlin" Act was a revolutionary urban planning decision. The city united with dozens of suburbs and villages, instantly becoming the third-largest metropolis in the world by population. This allowed for the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects and established administrative boundaries that have largely remained to this day.
• The "Golden Twenties": In the 1920s, Berlin experienced an incredible cultural ascent, becoming a world capital of avant-garde art, theatre, cinema, and science. It was the era of Marlene Dietrich and Bertolt Brecht, bold experiments in architecture, and a dynamic social scene. Despite economic instability, the city established itself as a symbol of freedom and creative energy.
• Division and Cold War (1945–1989): After World War II, the city was divided into four sectors, and then by the Berlin Wall into two worlds with different ideologies. West Berlin became a showcase of the capitalist West, while East Berlin became the capital of the GDR. This period left deep scars in the urban fabric and created a unique situation of two different development paths within a single city.
• Reunification and New Capital (from 1990): The fall of the Wall in 1989 and the subsequent reunification of Germany launched a new stage in Berlin's history. The city once again became a unified capital and turned into a gigantic construction site. Abandoned areas, such as Potsdamer Platz, were built anew, and the government quarter was reconstructed, symbolising the new era of a united country.

Architectural Appearance: From Gothic to High-Tech

The architecture of Berlin is a stone chronicle in which pages of imperial grandeur sit side by side with reminders of wartime destruction and bold modern experiments. Unlike many other European capitals, it is difficult to single out a unified historical centre here; the city is a mosaic of styles reflecting the turbulent history that Germany has endured. The urban development of the city proceeded in leaps: from a medieval trading hub to a Prussian residence, then to an industrial metropolis, a divided city, and finally to a modern capital.

Eras and Styles

Each period left its iconic structures in the city, forming its unique landscape today:

• Gothic (13th–15th Centuries): The oldest surviving buildings in the city date back to the Middle Ages. St. Nicholas' Church (Nikolaikirche) and St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche) demonstrate the strict lines of brick Gothic, recalling the times when the city was a small trading settlement.
• Baroque (17th–18th Centuries): With the growth of Prussia's power, the city began to acquire opulent residences. The brightest example is Charlottenburg Palace with its majestic dome and park, as well as the Zeughaus building (now the German Historical Museum) on Unter den Linden.
• Classicism (19th Century): This style defined the imperial face of the city, turning it into the "Athens on the Spree". The principal architect of the era was Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Iconic objects: Brandenburg Gate, Altes Museum, and the Konzerthaus. The severity of forms and antique colonnades symbolised order and enlightenment.
• Historicism and the Gründerzeit Era (Late 19th Century): Industrialisation led to explosive population growth. At this time, monumental buildings mixing old styles (Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Gothic) were built, such as the Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, and the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall). In parallel, huge blocks of tenement houses ("Mietskasernen") with their famous courtyards emerged.
• Modernism (1920s): The Weimar Republic made the city a laboratory for new architecture. Residential complexes in the Bauhaus and functionalist styles (for example, the "Horseshoe Estate" by Bruno Taut) are today included in the UNESCO World Heritage list for their innovative approach to social housing.
• Architecture of Division (1945–1989): After the war, the city developed in two directions. In the Eastern sector, Socialist Classicism dominated (often called "Stalinist Empire style"), a bright example of which is Karl-Marx-Allee. The Western sector responded with modernism and open planning, which is visible in the Hansaviertel district.
• Postmodernism and High-Tech (from 1990): After the fall of the Wall, the city became Europe's largest construction site. Potsdamer Platz with the Sony Center skyscrapers, the new Government Quarter, and the glass dome of the Reichstag (Norman Foster) became symbols of transparency and aspiration towards the future.

Outstanding Figures in the History of Berlin

For centuries, Berlin has been a centre of attraction for thinkers, artists, scientists, and politicians. Many of them left an indelible mark not only on the history of the city but also on world heritage. Here are just a few iconic figures whose destinies are closely intertwined with the German capital.

• Frederick the Great (1712–1786) — King of Prussia. His reign turned Berlin into a centre of the Enlightenment. He established the Royal Opera, promoted the development of sciences and arts, and also founded the famous Sanssouci palace and park ensemble in Potsdam, which became his favourite residence.
• Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt (1767–1835; 1769–1859) — Brothers, outstanding scholars, and reformers. Wilhelm, a philosopher and linguist, developed the concept of modern education and founded the university in Berlin in 1809, which today bears their name. Alexander, a naturalist and geographer, became one of the most influential scientists of his time. Humboldt University remains one of Germany's leading research centres to this day.
• Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781–1841) — Architect, painter, and stage designer. He is rightfully considered the creator of Berlin's architectural appearance in the 19th century. His masterpieces in the Classicist style, such as the Altes Museum, the Neue Wache, and the Konzerthaus on Gendarmenmarkt square, still define the look of the city's historic centre.
• Albert Einstein (1879–1955) — Theoretical physicist and Nobel Prize laureate. He lived in Berlin from 1914 to 1932, and this period was one of the most productive in his scientific career. It was here that he completed his work on the General Theory of Relativity and made a fundamental contribution to the development of quantum physics.
• Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992) — Actress and singer. Born in Schöneberg, which later became part of Berlin, she became a symbol of the "Golden Twenties" and one of the first global film stars from Germany. Her role in the film "The Blue Angel" (1930) brought her worldwide fame and opened the road to Hollywood. Despite leaving, she maintained a connection with her hometown throughout her life, dedicating the famous song "I Still Have a Suitcase in Berlin" to it.
• Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) — Playwright, poet, and theatre director. After returning from emigration, he founded the "Berliner Ensemble" theatre in East Berlin in 1949, which quickly acquired world fame thanks to innovative productions and became one of the city's most important cultural centres.
• Willy Brandt (1913–1992) — Politician and Chancellor of West Germany. As the Governing Mayor of West Berlin (1957–1966), he became a symbol of the city's resilience during the Cold War. His famous address to US President John F. Kennedy during the Berlin Crisis and his firm stance made him one of the key political figures of post-war Germany.