Do you know who was Frederick (Friedrich) the Great, or where and why was the Berlin wall built? Before you travel to Berlin, you should be equipped with some knowledge of its historical background. Interested? Just go ahead!
A concise history of Berlin Berlin is relatively a young City. Officially, it all starts in 28th October 1237, because this date appears on the earliest existing document which mentions the name Berlin. Berlin is then a small settlement of merchants, located on the northern bank of the Spree River opposite to another settlement called Coelln nowadays, Isle of museums).)
Both settlements unite at the beginning of the 14th century, under the name Berlin. In 1415 the Hohenzollern family takes over the area of Brandenburg, and that means they become the rulers of Berlin as well. The strong Imprint of this dynasty will be borne in the next centuries by Berlin, Germany, Europe and the whole world. 65 years after taking over, the new rulers decide to make Berlin the capital of Brandenburg. In the next two centuries Berlin suffers from plagues, wars and fires. The ruling prince Friedrich Wilhelm I reacts by fortifying the town, and initiates splendid projects, such as nowadays Unter den Linden and the Friedrich Wilhelm Canal which connects the Spree to the Oder River. The protestant prince publishes in 1685 the Potsdam edict which gives shelter to thousands of French Huguenot, who were persecuted by the Catholics in France. The refugees bring to their new country their high skills and culture. Many of them settle down in Berlin.
When does Berlin get its today's look? And who is Schinkel? Curious to know?Click here.
