Description

Essentials about Unter den Linden in brief

Unter den Linden is one of the most beautiful, most important and most famous streets in Berlin and it is the oldest promenade in the city. A stroll along the magnificent boulevard of the capital and the former heart of the Prussian metropolis should therefore be a fixed program item of a visit to Berlin. Along Unter den Linden are some of the most important and beautiful buildings of the German capital as well as numerous cafes, restaurants and stores.

The location and the buildings of Unter den Linden

The boulevard begins at Pariser Platz on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate and runs for about one and a half kilometers through the middle of Berlin-Mitte to Alexanderplatz. As you stroll along, you will pass many important sights and institutions, such as Berlin’s Humboldt University, the State Opera, Bebelplatz, the Neue Wache and the Zeughaus. In addition, you will also find many restaurants, cafes and stores on Unter den Linden.

The history of Unter den Linden

The history of Unter den Linden goes back to the 16th century. From 1573, a bridle path led from the Stadtschloss (City Palace) to Lietzow, later named “Charlottenburg” after Queen Sophie Charlotte. The first linden trees have stood here since 1647. From the beginning of the 18th century, the architecture under the linden trees was extended further and further in the course of the royal Prussian splendor. The development into a magnificent boulevard is largely due to Frederick the Great, whose equestrian statue still stands at the eastern end of the street.

After the World War II, not much was left of Unter den Linden except a wasteland of rubble. Only the Stadtschloss survived the war relatively unscathed, but was demolished by the GDR government as a symbol of Prussian absolutism. In its place, the so-called Palace of the Republic was built, which in turn had to be demolished after reunification due to asbestos contamination. The remaining buildings were mostly replaced by typical sixties buildings during the time of the GDR. Only after the fall of the Berlin Wall was Unter den Linden largely rebuilt in its historic form. Also the Stadtschloss has been rebuilt.

Website

visitberlin.de/unter-den-linden

Opening hours

None.

Admission fees

None.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

U55: Stop Brandenburger Tor

S1, S2, S25 and S26: Stop Brandenburger Tor

Bus lines 100 and 245: Stop Brandenburger Tor

Bus lines 147: Stop Brandenburger Tor/Glinkastr.

Bus lines 100, 147, 245, 300 and N6: Stop Unter den Linden/Friedrichstr.

Bus lines 100, 245 and 300: Stop Staatsoper (Berlin)

If you want to walk along Unter den Linden from the east, you can also reach the boulevard via the Alexanderplatz U- and S-Bahn station.

By car:

The nearest parking garages are Parkhaus Adlon, Parkhaus Dorotheenstraße and Q-Park Unter den Linden / Staatsoper.