Architecture of Berlin

The plain appearance of Plattenbau housing does not promote gentrification, and may be a factor that helps preserve social continuity for local residents and neighborhoods, according to architect David Chipperfield.

In front of City Hall is the Neptunbrunnen, a fountain featuring a mythological group of Tritons (personifications of the four main Prussian rivers) under Neptune.

[8] Restoration and construction of a main entrance to all of the city's museums and the reconstruction of the Berlin Palace (Stadtschloss) on the island[9] has cost over two billion euros since Germany's reunification.

[10] Adjacent to the Lustgarten and palace on the island is Berlin Cathedral, emperor William II's ambitious attempt to create a Protestant counterpart to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The Reichstag building is the traditional seat of the German Parliament, which was renovated during the 1950s after severe World War II damage.

[13] The building was again remodeled by British architect Norman Foster during the 1990s and features a glass dome over the session area, which allows free public access to parliamentary proceedings and a view of the city.

[17] The East Side Gallery is an open-air exhibition of art painted directly on the last existing portions of the Berlin Wall.

Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, it was rebuilt between 1980 and 1987 on behalf of the East Berlin magistrate to mark the city's 750th anniversary.

About halfway from the Brandenburg Gate is the Großer Stern, a circular traffic island on which the Siegessäule (Victory Column) is situated.

[21] The Kurfürstendamm is home to some of Berlin's luxurious stores, with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at its eastern end on Breitscheidplatz.

Schloss Charlottenburg was largely destroyed by fire during World War II, and was rebuilt as the largest surviving historical palace in Berlin.