Whether in the 1920s, in GDR times or today: the famous Alexanderplatz was and remains one of the liveliest places in Berlin. Alexanderplatz, popularly known as Alex, is a central square and transport hub in Berlin-Mitte. It is one of the most visited places and at the same time one of the most famous sights of the city. Until the middle of the 19th At the turn of the 19th century, Alexanderplatz was used by the military as a parade and parade ground, where traders and farmers from the region traded their goods. Alexanderplatz owes its present name to Frederick William III, who renamed it Alexanderplatz at the end of 1805 on the occasion of the visit of Tsar Alexander. Alexanderplatz as the scene of historical events The former parade ground was again and again the scene of historical events. So it came during the March Revolution in 1848 to heavy street fighting. But that could be fought on Alexanderplatz in a peaceful manner, showed the demonstrations against the GDR regime in the fall of 1989, which there on 4. November, shortly before the fall of the wall, had its peak. Alexanderplatz after the Second World War At the end of the Second World War, the fighting in April 1945 also reached Alexanderplatz and it came to devastating destruction. From then on in the Soviet occupation zone, the square was given its present appearance in the 1960s and 70s. In the spring of 1964, a competition was held for the 'redesign of Alexanderplatz'. The competition winner's draft provided two key points for the redesign: freeing traffic and improving the quality of residence for pedestrians. Attractions at Alexanderplatz Until 1969, all tram lines were removed and created the most distinctive buildings of the place until today: the former Centrum department store (now Galeria Kaufhof), the former Hotel City Berlin (now Hotel Park Inn), the World Clock and the Fountain of Friendship , In the same year, the television tower was inaugurated after four years of construction, which is now the tallest building in the Federal Republic at 365 meters. Not far from Alexanderplatz stands the Red Town Hall, in front of it is the Neptune Fountain. GDR major events in the center of East Berlin After its completion in 1971, the square was often used for major events such as the X. World Youth Festival in the summer of 1973, the celebrations for the 25th Anniversary of the GDR in October 1974 or the celebrations of the 30th Anniversary of the end of the war 1975 used.
