Potsdamer Platz (German: [ˈpɔtsdamɐ plats] (listen), Potsdam Square) is a public square and traffic intersection in the center of Berlin, Germany, lying about 1 km (1,100 yd) south of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag (German Parliament Building), and close to the southeast corner of the Tiergarten park. It is named after the city of Potsdam, some 25 km (16 mi) to the south west, and marks the point where the old road from Potsdam passed through the city wall of Berlin at the Potsdam Gate. After developing within the space of little over a century from an intersection of rural thoroughfares into the most bustling traffic intersection in Europe, it was totally destroyed during World War II and then left desolate during the Cold War era when the Berlin Wall bisected its former location. Since German reunification, Potsdamer Platz has been the site of major redevelopment projects.
The history of Potsdamer Platz can be traced to 29 October 1685, when the Tolerance Edict of Potsdam was signed, whereby Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg-Prussia from 1640 to 1688, allowed large numbers of religious refugees, including Jews from Austria and Huguenots expelled from France, to settle on his territory to repopulate it following the Thirty Years' War (1618–48). Several new districts were founded around the city's perimeter, just outside the old fortifications. The largest of these was Friedrichstadt, just south west of the historic core of Berlin, begun in 1688 and named after the new elector, Frederick William III, who became King Frederick I of Prussia. Its street layout followed the Baroque-style grid pattern much favoured at the time, and was based on two main axes: Friedrichstraße running north–south, and Leipziger Strasse running east–west. All the new suburbs were absorbed into Berlin around 1709–10. In 1721-3 a south-westwards expansion of Friedrichstadt was planned under the orders of King Frederick William I, and this was completed in 1732-4 by architect Philipp Gerlach (1679–1748). In this expansion, a new north–south axis emerged: Wilhelmstrasse.
Very wide and nice square in Berlin. Great place just to walk and have some rest. Large green and pedestrian areas, shopping malls, museum of spy. You can have a good time doing whatever possible here, "must visit" in Berlin. Probably, the best place in the city to evaluate modern architecture of office and apartment buildings.
Anton ZhukFeb 17, 2018
A very modern and contemporary area of Berlin. It has very good transport links by rail and buses. We used city tour bus to get there and they came every 20min. There is a 360 degree viewing point with cafe in the brown building. It cost €7.50 per person to go up and see the view. A huge shopping mall is also located here. It has everything in it you could want.
Jamie WattsJan 9, 2018
Such a clean place. Visited twice for the film festival and I love it. Great places to eat and drink. It's a little pricy but nothing you wouldn't expect from a built up city.
Jess ShepherdFeb 25, 2018
Cool place to start Berlin exploration. You can see remnants of the Berlin wall here. There is train station and metro stop. Nearby you can find plenty of shops - huge shopping mall (Mall of Berlin), restaurants and coffee shops. There are also several luxury hotels you can stay in.
Otto VitousDec 23, 2017
One of the most beautiful squares in Berlin. This square is a beautiful combination of contemporary and older buildings. Nearby is the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, the Mall of Berlin, and the Sony Center. You can also see some parts of the Berlin Wall. Very easy access to the metro, lots of good restaurants, and stores.
Claudia ColantonioJan 24, 2018
Very wide and nice square in Berlin. Great place just to walk and have some rest. Large green and pedestrian areas, shopping malls, museum of spy. You can have a good time doing whatever possible here, "must visit" in Berlin. Probably, the best place in the city to evaluate modern architecture of office and apartment buildings.
Anton ZhukFeb 17, 2018
A very modern and contemporary area of Berlin. It has very good transport links by rail and buses. We used city tour bus to get there and they came every 20min. There is a 360 degree viewing point with cafe in the brown building. It cost €7.50 per person to go up and see the view. A huge shopping mall is also located here. It has everything in it you could want.
Jamie WattsJan 9, 2018
Such a clean place. Visited twice for the film festival and I love it. Great places to eat and drink. It's a little pricy but nothing you wouldn't expect from a built up city.
Jess ShepherdFeb 25, 2018
Cool place to start Berlin exploration. You can see remnants of the Berlin wall here. There is train station and metro stop. Nearby you can find plenty of shops - huge shopping mall (Mall of Berlin), restaurants and coffee shops. There are also several luxury hotels you can stay in.
Otto VitousDec 23, 2017
One of the most beautiful squares in Berlin. This square is a beautiful combination of contemporary and older buildings. Nearby is the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, the Mall of Berlin, and the Sony Center. You can also see some parts of the Berlin Wall. Very easy access to the metro, lots of good restaurants, and stores.
Claudia ColantonioJan 24, 2018
Very wide and nice square in Berlin. Great place just to walk and have some rest. Large green and pedestrian areas, shopping malls, museum of spy. You can have a good time doing whatever possible here, "must visit" in Berlin. Probably, the best place in the city to evaluate modern architecture of office and apartment buildings.
Anton ZhukFeb 17, 2018
A very modern and contemporary area of Berlin. It has very good transport links by rail and buses. We used city tour bus to get there and they came every 20min. There is a 360 degree viewing point with cafe in the brown building. It cost €7.50 per person to go up and see the view. A huge shopping mall is also located here. It has everything in it you could want.
Jamie WattsJan 9, 2018
Such a clean place. Visited twice for the film festival and I love it. Great places to eat and drink. It's a little pricy but nothing you wouldn't expect from a built up city.
Jess ShepherdFeb 25, 2018
Cool place to start Berlin exploration. You can see remnants of the Berlin wall here. There is train station and metro stop. Nearby you can find plenty of shops - huge shopping mall (Mall of Berlin), restaurants and coffee shops. There are also several luxury hotels you can stay in.
Otto VitousDec 23, 2017
One of the most beautiful squares in Berlin. This square is a beautiful combination of contemporary and older buildings. Nearby is the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, the Mall of Berlin, and the Sony Center. You can also see some parts of the Berlin Wall. Very easy access to the metro, lots of good restaurants, and stores.
Claudia ColantonioJan 24, 2018
Wander is a travel search engine that allows you to find the perfect travel destination that fits your budget and preferences.