Image Copyright: Gisela Pape

The Alexanderplatz, Berlin citizens call it 'Alex', was the urban building centre of the former East Berlin, it is now, after the Kurfürstendamm, the second urban centre of the reunified city. Today, trams run once again over the Alex, several shops invite to linger and the casino sits high above the square. At the end of the 13th century, an infirmary with a chapel dedicated to the holy George, was built in front of the Oderberg Gate. Around 1700, a cattle market developed in that area and in the second half of the 18th-century a wool market was set up there as well. When in the year 1701 Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg moved through the town gate as 'King of Prussia', Frederick I, the gate was renamed as Königstor (king's gate). In 1805, the square in front the gate got its present name in honour of the Russian Czar Alexander I.

Image Copyright: Gisela Pape

Of the former buildings, only the Berolina House and the Alexander House survived at the south side of the square. Today, new buildings dominate the place. The 30-floor, around 120m high hotel 'Stadt Berlin' (1970), the 13-floor 'Haus des Lehrers' (1964 first new building after 1945 at the Alex), the cupola building of the Congress Hall and the 18-floor "Haus des Reisens" surround the square today.

Image Copyright: Gisela Pape

A very big shopping centre, the Alexa, was newly built at the edge of the Alexanderplatz. And directly on the Alex, opposite the Haus des Lehrers the company Hines is erecting a new office building 'Die Mitte', a 30metres high building.

Image Copyright: Gisela Pape

The 'Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft' (fountain of international friendship), created by Walter Womacka in 1969 and the 'World Time Clock' by Erich John, erected in the same year are probably the square's most popular landmarks.

City District Mitte

Public Transport
S-Bahn : S3,S5-S7,S9
U-Bahn : U2,U5,U8
Bus : 147,157,257