Potsdamer Platz has had its share of transformations over the decades. It was once the most prestigious square in Berlin, and then became a no-mans-land separating East and West – in short, it was the symbol of a country broken in two. It is not surprising that with re-unification the powers that be decided to transform the square into a new symbol: that of a united Germany turned towards the future. The best contemporary architects were commissioned to design not only beautiful futurist buildings, but also a whole district, around it. These architects have included such names as Renzo Piano, Arata Isozaki and Sir Richard Rogers, to name but a few. And they have graced this urban space with sculptures by Robert Rauschenberg, Jeff Koons, Jean Tinguely… The result is truly a sight to behold. This tour will allow you to discover these buildings, including the famous Sony Center, which will lead to the KulturForum and the Neue Nationalgalerie – the Modern Art Gallery designed by Mies Van der Rohe.
Places and topics covered
1 :Potsdamerplatz, 2 : Weinhaus Huth and Rauschenberg, 3 : Building Chrystler Daimler (by Sir Rogers), 4 : Berliner Volksbank (by Isozaki), 5 : Debis (by Renzo Piano), 6 : Jeff Koons : “Balloon Flower”, 7 : Sony Center (by Helmut Jahn), 8 : Philharmonie, 9 : KulturForum
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Informations
Author: Philippe Poindront Departure point: Potsdamer Platz Access: The closest metro station is Potsdamer Platz.