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'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]], and formerly of the [[Prussia|Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]].

'''Berlin''' is the capital of [[Germany]], and formerly of the [[Prussia|Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]].

During the [[Cold War]] it was divided into an Eastern and a Western part. Both were considered to be under the control of the four [[WWII]] Allies. However, in fact, the [[USSR]] and East Germany, the German Democratic Republic, made [[East Berlin]] into the capital of [[East Germany]], whereas the Western Allies (USA, UK, France) and West Germany, the Federal Republic Germany, insisted on the allied status of all sectors of Berlin and made [[Bonn]] into the provisional capital of West Germany. A [[Berlin Wall|wall]] between the two parts was built by East Germany in order to stop people escaping from East Berlin to [[West Berlin]] for economic as well as political reasons.

During the [[Cold War]] it was divided into an Eastern and a Western part. Both were considered to be under the control of the four [[WWII]] Allies. However, in fact, the [[USSR]] and East Germany (a.k.a. the German Democratic Republic) made [[East Berlin]] into the capital of [[East Germany]], whereas the Western Allies (USA, UK, France) and West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany) insisted on the allied status of all sectors of Berlin and made [[Bonn]] into the provisional capital of West Germany. A [[Berlin Wall|wall]] between the two parts was built by East Germany in order to stop people escaping from East Berlin to [[West Berlin]] for economic as well as political reasons.

Berlin is well known world-wide for its cultural institutions, such as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, its three opera houses, its museums and art galleries, and its remaining architectural history. ''Re-emerging from the aftermath of WWII and the Cold War, Berlin has since firmly established itself as one of Europe's brightest centres of culture. '' <ref> [http://www.berlin-life.com/culture/culture.php Culture in Berlin] </ref> The Hebbel-Theater is one of the centers for contemporary dance and opera in Europe. ''With seven major symphony orchestras (and several private ones), two major concert halls, and a plethora of smaller venues and churches, Berlin is indisputably one of the world's greatest cities for classical music.'' <ref> [http://www.berlinfo.com/Freetime/Art-Culture/classical_music/index.htm Classical Music] </ref> The Konzerthaus is Berlin’s most elegant venue for classical music.  

 

Berlin is well known world-wide for its cultural institutions, such as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, its three opera houses, its museums and art galleries, and its remaining architectural history. Re-emerging from the aftermath of WWII and the Cold War, Berlin has since firmly established itself as one of Europe's brightest centres of culture. <ref> [http://www.berlin-life.com/culture/culture.php Culture in Berlin] </ref> The Hebbel-Theater is one of the centers for contemporary dance and opera in Europe. With seven major symphony orchestras (and several private ones), two major concert halls, and a plethora of smaller venues and churches, Berlin is indisputably one of the world's greatest cities for classical music. <ref> [http://www.berlinfo.com/Freetime/Art-Culture/classical_music/index.htm Classical Music] </ref> The Konzerthaus is Berlin’s most elegant venue for classical music.  

Berlin is well-known for the liberal attitudes that proliferate in its corners. During the time of the [[Cold War]], numerous young men from West Germany moved to West Berlin, in order to avoid military service. They founded numerous communities, mainly in the city district Kreuzberg, known also as the Turkish Quarter, for its large concentration of Turkish immigrants. Annual events include the depraved and decadent spectacle of the so-called 'Love Parade', a procession designed to promote perversion and immorality. A remarkable political event was the current mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, publicly announcing in his election campaign that he is homosexual. <ref>article in NY Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/world/europe/23wowereit.html?ei=5090&en=fab18328b0dbeafe&ex=1316664000&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all]</ref>

Berlin is well-known for the liberal attitudes that proliferate in its corners. During the time of the [[Cold War]], numerous young men from West Germany moved to West Berlin, in order to avoid military service. They founded numerous communities, mainly in the city district Kreuzberg, known also as the Turkish Quarter, for its large concentration of Turkish immigrants. Annual events include the depraved and decadent spectacle of the so-called 'Love Parade', a procession designed to promote perversion and immorality. A remarkable political event was the current mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, publicly announcing in his election campaign that he is homosexual. <ref>article in NY Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/world/europe/23wowereit.html?ei=5090&en=fab18328b0dbeafe&ex=1316664000&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all]</ref>

A very short history to 1945:

A very short history to 1945:

:- grew from a pair of Wendish villages ( Berlin and K&ouml;lln), founded in the early 13th century.

* grew from a pair of Wendish villages ( Berlin and K&ouml;lln), founded in the early 13th century.

:- was member of [[Hanseatic League]] from the 14th century.  

* was member of [[Hanseatic League]] from the 14th century.  

:- became capital of Brandenburg.

* became capital of Brandenburg.

:- became Protestant mid 16th century. (after 1540)

* became Protestant mid 16th century. (after 1540)

:- capital of Prussia from 1701

* capital of Prussia from 1701

:- occupied by [[Austria]]ns, 1757, then the [[Russia]]ns, 1760

* occupied by [[Austria]]ns, 1757, then the [[Russia]]ns, 1760

:- occupied by [[Napoleon]], 1806.

* occupied by [[Napoleon]], 1806.

:- capital of German Empire, 1871-1918

* capital of German Empire, 1871-1918

:- Congress of Berlin, 1878 – Berlin Conference, 1885.

* Congress of Berlin, 1878 – Berlin Conference, 1885.

:- capital of German Republic, 1918-1932

* capital of German Republic, 1918-1932

:- capital of [[Third Reich]],1932-1945 (entered by Russians May 1945)

* capital of [[Third Reich]],1932-1945 (entered by Russians May 1945)

:- greatly damaged by Allied bombing, 1941 and 1943-45.

* greatly damaged by Allied bombing, 1941 and 1943-45.

:- partitioned into zones and occupied (Americans, British, French, Russians), June 1945

* partitioned into zones and occupied (Americans, British, French, Russians), June 1945

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Art cities]]

*[[Art cities]]

*[[Walter Gropius]]

*[[Walter Gropius]]