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Check Point Charlie is not named for any person, but was the third check point of the Berlin Wall (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie...). The Checkpoint is now a museum for the history of the wall, which provides superb documentation of the history of the Wall along with the deeper cultural meaning it created. Checkpoint Charlie is located at Friedrich and Zimmerstrasse, and is part of the Kreuzberg region (See: Berlin City Map). Take the U6 to Kochstrasse.
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The Berlin Cathedral (or "Dom") is the former church court of the Hohenzollern Dynasty. Located next to Museum Island in the Mitte region, the Cathedral's crypt is open to the public. There you will find every Friedrich, Wilhelm, and Friedrich-Wilhelm from the Hohenzollern family, and also Otto von Bismarck. Take any train to the Unter den Linden stop, and walk east. You can't miss it.
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The Club Scene in Berlin is arguably one of the best in the world. Most of the clubbing happens in former East Berlin districts, especially Mitte, Friedrichshain, and Prenzlauer Berg (See Berlin City Map). Berlin is perhaps best known for its techno scene, which culminates in the world renowned techno fest "Love Parade" (every July). It is difficult to pinpoint the "happening" spots, as they change so fast. The best advice is to ask around, or visit one of main clubbing districts and follow the people with the most eccentric clothes.
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Unter den Linden (under the linden trees) is a central street connecting the Brandenburg Gate with Schlossplatz. Here you will find most of the major tourist attractions, and also a lively shopping district. To get here take any train to Unter den Linden, and then begin your stroll.
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Hideous? Yes. The Palace of the Republic is quintessential East German Architecture. Now closed for Aspestos cleaning, the outward facace of this eye soar alone can give the traveler as sense of East German aesthetic (or lack there of). Palace of the Republic can be found in the Mitte Region. Take the S-Bahn to Hackescher Markt.
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The former East German TV Tower was built as a "marvel" of East German technological superiority. Yet, poor planning caused the steel ring to reflect sunlight in the form of a cross (remember, the East Germans were communists), dubbing the TV tower "the Pope's Revenge." The TV tower is located in the Mitte region, and marks Alexanderplatz, the area of Berlin made famous by the Alfred Doeblin novel of the same name.
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With no need for introduction, the Berlin Wall now consists mostly of a 1300 meter strip called the "East Side Gallery." Located in the Friedrichshain region, the East Side Gallery is the collaborative work of international artists, during the period of reunification euphoria. To get here take the U or the S Bahn to Warschauer Strasse.
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The Brandenburg Gate predates the Wall by a number of centuries, but served as a symbol of division for Berlin. Located between Mitte and Tiergarten, the Wall is now unites the city into one Berlin, and also is the beginning of Unter den Linden. In the immediate presence of the Gate are the embassies of the US, Britain, and France. Take the S-Bahn to Unter den Linden.
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The New Synagogue is actually a 19th century synagogue, renowned for being the nation's largest at that time. Despite being harmed by the Nazis, the synagogue was actually not destroyed until the end of World War II. The rebuilt synagogue (reopened in 1995) is a museum and research facility for Jewish life in Berlin. This site is also located in the Mitte region.
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