The history of Germany is full of suffering and setbacks. The German people have always pursued the unity and strength of the nation. This is why Germany has a rich cultural heritage. Germany is solemn but also like a fairy tale; it is strict and quiet but also active. Here is the list of the top 10 most popular tourist attractions in Germany. We hope the list can inspire you and help you discover the country deeply.
1. Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein has undoubtedly become a landmark in Germany. It’s definitely the most famous castle in Germany with the most tourists. Neuschwanstein is located on a hilltop nearly a kilometer high that is located in the Alpes on the southern border of Germany. This masterpiece of Ludwig II dedicating national strength is with fairy-tale looks and scenery. Neuschwanstein was built in 1869. The facade was just completed 17 years later when Ludwig II died. The government opened it as a museum three months after the death of the king. At present, the interior of the castle can be visited, including the throne hall, the king’s bedroom, the living room, the dressing room, the big concert hall and so on. The decoration is very gorgeous. The tour time is approximately 30 minutes. There is a Marienbrücke on the foothills of Neuschwanstein Castle, where you can see the panoramic view of Neuschwanstein. When you stand on the bridge of Mary, you can’t help appreciating it.
2. Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of Berlin and a national symbol of Germany. This neoclassical sandstone building, built in 1791, is based on the Acropolis city gate. On the top of the door is a bronze statue of the goddess of victory with wings who is riding a four-wheeled carriage. The oak garland, the iron cross and the winged eagle all symbolize the victory of the war is on the scepter in the hands of the goddess. This is a symbol of Germany’s division and unity. There are many wonderful events or performances on major festivals here. The Brandenburg Gate faces east and its east is the heart of Berlin’s Old Town, which is also the only remaining Berlin gate. The Brandenburg Gate has stood here for more than two hundred years and has witnessed the rise and fall of German. During the split of the East and West Germany, the Berlin Wall was erected on the west side of the Brandenburg Gate, and no one passed for decades.
3. Parliament Building
The German Parliament Building, built in 1894, was the site of the National Assembly during the German Empire and the Weimar Republic. The ‘famous’ arson of the Congress took place on the evening of February 27, 1933. Since then, the Nazi Party has mastered the National Assembly Parliament and pushed the whole country to the abyss of World War II. During the split between the two Germanys, the post-war restored parliament building was located in West Berlin while at this time the Federal Republic of Germany’s parliament had moved to the capital Bonn. After the reunification of the two Germans, the Capitol was re-construction adding a special glass dome in order to regain the role of the Capitol. The lightness of the dome and the thickness of the entire building are in sharp contrast. “DEM DEUTSCHEN VOLKE” on the west gate of the Capitol means “for the German people.”
4. Cologne Cathedral
Maybe nothing can represent Cologne more than Cologne Cathedral. This landmark building located in the heart of Cologne is a Catholic church and a masterpiece of medieval European Gothic architecture. It’s awarded the reputation of the world’s most perfect Gothic church building. The twin towers on the west side of the church are one of the peaks of Gothic architecture. The large-scale painted glass windows are layered and decorated with rich triangular urns. The dense and graceful bouquet of bouquets is like a spear that pierces the 157 meters church steeple. All of these make it a magnificent spectacle in the history of world architecture.
5. Museum Island
Museum Island is located in the former East Berlin area. At that time, the major museums on the island were in disrepair and were ruined due to economic difficulties. After the reunification, the German government invested a large amount of money to re-maintain all the buildings on the island. It’s a small island that brings together five museums built on the Museum Island in Berlin between 1824 and 1930. Thanks to the commemorative significance of culture and architecture, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The five museums are: the Berlin old museum and the Berlin new museum, the National Gallery, the Bode Museum and the Pergamon Museum. Among them, the most famous is the Pergamon Museum who collect the large-scale building. The essence of German museum is concentrated in the island, such as the Pergamon Museum which shows the history of ancient Egypt; the National Painting Gallery which houses the works of world masters and also the German Museum of History.
6. Marien Square
The Marien Square is the heart of Munich and is the place where there are always travelers. Most of the buildings around the square were built between the 19th and 20th centuries. There is a pillar of the Virgin in the middle of the square, expressing the gratitude and love for the Virgin Mary. There is a fish spring in the northeast corner of the square. In the past, it was the place where the butcher apprentices held the ceremony. The northwest of Marien Square is the Marien Church. The new town hall is on the north side of the Marien Square and the old town hall is on the east side of the square. The Viktor Arian Market is on the southeast side of the square. Here is the small tip for you: carillon performances take place at 11 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 17 o’clock and 21 o’clock every day. You can go there early in order to find the best places to watch the great performances.
7. East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is the largest open-air gallery in the world and is a must-see for a trip to Berlin. Various artists have painted in the 1.3-kilometer wall with the theme of the Cold War and politics to ridicule the history of annihilation of humanity. Different from the previous solemn atmosphere, it’s now like an open-air museum, so you can enjoy it with visitors from all over the world. Most of the paintings are the themes of peace and crossing the Berlin Wall, and there are some special ones such as the German flag and the Israeli six-pointed star to commemorate the Jewish people. The most famous piece is the “brother kiss.” Today, the narrow lawn between the wall and the River Spree is transformed into a sun-bathing beach in the summer.
8. Linderhof Palace
The Linderhof Palace, known as one of the “King of Fairy Tales” on the rich Bavarian land, is situated in the secluded Grass Valley. Although Linderhof is built later than Neuschwanstein, it is the only palace that was finished when the king was alive. The palace pursues the grotesque and intricate Rococo style and mixes with oriental colors. Some people say it’s a small Versailles. The dining room is in form of beautiful oval, and the interior is made of shiny red. The peculiarity is that the “automatic serving magic table” can be lifted and lowered in the middle of the dining room, which means that the king who is afraid of seeing others can eat alone there.
9. Berlin Cathedral
The Berlin Cathedral is in the northern part of the island of Spree built in 1894 – 1905. It’s once used as a royal chapel and its interior is extremely magnificent, Its interior is decorated with columns with delicate lines and exquisite murals, even the stigma is gold-plated. The above-ground building has 4 floors and the highest point is 114 meters, which can accommodate about 500 people. The architecture is Baroque and of Renaissance. Only a few rooms are open to the public. The underground of the cathedral is the royal tomb where the famous iron-blood prime minister Bismarck is buried. After visiting the interior, you must climb the top floor of the church and have a panoramic view of Berlin. When you overlook Berlin, you will see scaffolding everywhere. And you can feel the trauma of this fragmented city after World War II and the courage of the Germans to face history positively.
10. Holocaust Memorial
The design of the memorial is simple and complex with both historical thickness and architectural beauty, which attract you reflect on the enormous loss of life and the responsibility of the political machine. It’s a symbolic commemoration of a sad history in the world. You can stay here for a few minutes or a few hours and you can unscramble the memorial in your own way. When you walk around the monument, you have an unforgettable feeling. The color changes with the gradient of light and ground, which gives a feeling of being in a dream. There is a museum underground. Remember to rent a audio guide for 3€ and listen to the stories of several victims among the six million Jewish massacre.
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