Germany boasts many magnificent historic places that will astonish and inspire, from medieval city centers to fairytale castles. Here are 10 breathtaking sites offering an incredible glimpse into its diverse past.
Take a stroll through Berlin’s Tiergarten, once used by Prussian royalty as hunting grounds, or visit nearby The Berlin Wall which symbolized Cold War division until its destruction in 1989.
Brandenburg Gate
Built during the 18th century, Brandenburg Gate stands on Pariser Platz as the west entrance to Old Prussian Berlin. Commissioned by King Frederick William II to commemorate a period of relative peace, today it stands out as one of Berlin’s iconic landmarks.
The gate’s sculpture represents Victoria driving her four-horse chariot towards victory – an image taken down by Napoleon but reinstated after their defeat as an emblem for Prussia’s victorious army. It was removed during Napoleon’s occupation but returned when Prussia had triumphed.
After democracy’s victory in 1989, this place quickly became a symbol of German reunification and continues to represent Germany today as well as serve as an important reminder of global history and peace and unity.
New Herrenchiemsee Palace
New Herrenchiemsee stands as a monument to Ludwig’s ambition and luxury as King of Bavaria. Its King’s Bedroom stands as an exquisite example of architecture’s intersection with artistic passion.
Herreninsel, located on Chiemsee Lake’s largest island, may not be as well-known for its stunning buildings as Ludwig’s famed castles at Schloss Neuschwanstein and Linderhof but it remains equally stunning as an expression of Ludwig’s artistic and creative vision.
Ludwig decided to build his personal Versailles after saving the island from deforestation, starting construction in May 1878 and overseeing it regularly until his death in 1886. Even after then, rooms remained lavishly decorated and covered by beautiful canvasses – making a visit here an indispensable part of German history!
Beethoven Monument
The Beethoven Monument is a bronze statue honoring composer Ludwig van Beethoven that was unveiled 75 years after his birth.
Hugo Uher’s most significant work of sculpture at Karlovy Vary, this statue depicts Beethoven with unruly hair, an intense gaze and his mind filled with musical thoughts.
It was the first time ever that a statue honoring musicians had ever been constructed, inspired by a group of music enthusiasts known as Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna.
Franz Liszt donated money and also contributed his efforts towards this project, creating the statue depicting Beethoven bursting with inspiration ready to write down what comes to him. It has become an iconic symbol of artistic creativity in Germany while representing how music relates to other forms of cultural expression such as literature and painting.
Eagle’s Nest
Visits to Hitler’s mountain retreat, perched atop a cliff in Berchtesgaden mountains, can be powerful experiences. Guides explain that while Hitler only spent minimal time here and did not particularly care for it, its extraordinary feats of engineering and design are impressive nonetheless – with sturdy Kehlsteinhaus walls and faux medieval interior (complete with marble fireplace said to belong to Mussolini) offering breathtaking sights.
On a bus ride through Berchtesgaden hills, visitors arrive at the Eagle’s Nest, where you can enter through its tunnel and ride an original brass-lined elevator to the summit of Kehlstein mountain. Miraculously, it survived an aerial bombardment in April 1945 that decimated Berghof and other Nazi buildings; many underground bunkers did not.
Monument to the Battle of Nations
The Volkerschlachtdenkmal, inaugurated for Germany’s centennial battle of 1913, stands 91 meters and makes an impressive sight. Its crypt contains eight large statues of fallen soldiers while on its second-floor hall of glory are four gigantic figures meant to symbolize legendary historical qualities ascribed to German people such as courage, faith, sacrifice and fertility.
An informative small museum is included with your entrance fee to provide more context around this battle, while there’s also a cafe and reflecting pool at its base. Tram lines 2 and 15 as well as bus 70 pass by it frequently, and guided tours are available 24/7.
