Reichstag: Among Top 10 WWII Sites to Visit in Berlin — On the Front Tours
Welcome to the On the Front blog, where we discuss all things WW2.
In this blog, I provide a breakdown of my top 10 World War II sites that everyone should see when visiting Berlin. Now I know what you are thinking: there is a lot of history in Berlin, and you are right, so for this list I based my decision on 3 main criteria:
First: These sites are significant for both History buffs and those just wanting to learn more about the Second World War
Second: These sites tell the story of the Nazi Party's rise and fall
Third: They are all within walking distance of each other
Introduction: Berlin at the Crossroads of History
Berlin stands as a city shaped by the tides of history, its streets and buildings bearing witness to both moments of brilliance and times of darkness. As the capital of Germany, Berlin played a pivotal role during the rise of the Nazi regime and throughout World War II. The city’s legacy is marked by cultural achievements and intellectual vibrancy but also by the scars of war, destruction, and oppression. Among the most notorious episodes in Berlin’s history are the Nazi book burnings of 1933, when university students and professors gathered to destroy books written by Jewish authors and other works labelled as “un-German”. These book burnings were more than just the destruction of written materials—they were a symbolic act of political and cultural opposition, signalling the start of a new era of state censorship in Nazi Germany. Today, Berlin’s history serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of intolerance and the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression
The Reichstag
Commissioned in 1871 by Otto von Bismarck, the Reichstag was a symbol of the political unification of Germany, uniting the German-speaking states, with the exception of Austria, to form the German Empire.
The Reichstag, though, was not important to the Nazis, as it was left as a ruin after being destroyed by fire on the 27th of February 1933. Although the building itself was not important, the Nazis were able to capitalise on the fire and bring about sweeping reforms to solidify their hold on power. The Nazis used the Reichstag fire as a pretext to suppress political opposition, targeting dissenters and consolidating their control.
Fast forward 12 years, and you have the Soviets knocking on the door of Berlin. Seen symbolically as the crowning jewel for the Soviets, the Red Army fought bitterly to take the building, capturing the site on April 30th, 1945. The scars from the battle can still be seen in the façade today, although great effort has been made to patch the damage.
After the war, the Reichstag was left as a ruin until the collapse of the Soviet Union and Germany’s reunification in 1991. Extensive renovation was needed before the site officially reopened again as the German Parliament in 1999, once again reunifying the country politically.
The Brandenburg Gate
Undoubtedly, the national symbol for Germany, the Brandenburg Gate, was constructed in 1791. The Brandenburg Gate in many ways became the focal point of much of Nazi propaganda and celebrations, perhaps none more spectacular than Hitler's 50th birthday celebration. The streets were lined with National Socialist flags and pillars adorned with the swastika and the Nazi eagle.
The Brandenburg Gate today, however, represents a very different message. One of unity and freedom, not just for Germany but I think also for wider Europe and even the world. The symbolism has evolved over time, shifting from a political symbol to a symbol of unity following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
New Guardhouse
Constructed in 1813 in commemoration of the War of Liberation against Napoleon. In 1931, the New Guardhouse became a monument to the fallen German soldiers of the First World War under President Hindenburg and was used extensively by the Nazis for parades and to highlight German victimisation after the war under the unpopular Treaty of Versailles. Regular changing of the guard ceremonies would also take place, attracting large crowds.
After the Second World War, the monument was converted to a memorial to the Victims of Fascism and Militarism under the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The remains of an unknown soldier and concentration camp victim were interred under an eternal flame, surrounded by soil from taken battlefields and concentration camps.
Rededicated in 1993, the remains still lie in the monument under the statue of the “Mother”. The Käthe Kollwitz sculpture in the centre of the monument depicts a “mother” embracing her dead son, helpless and turned to stone in silent pain.
The monument is a moving sight in the middle of this busy city and stands as Germany's central memorial for the victims of war and tyranny.
The burning of the books
On 10 May 1933, German students and student leaders, particularly from university towns across Germany, gathered at Bebelplatz, adjacent to the historic and prestigious Humboldt University. These student leaders, acting in a nationwide action “against the un-German spirit,” organised the book burnings, not as a direct order from the Nazi Party, but through their own initiative and the involvement of local chapters. Students burned upwards of 25,000 volumes of books that were deemed “un-German.” The book burnings took place in many university towns, notably Berlin, with local chapters sometimes choosing different dates for their events based on local chapter preference—some aligning with the traditional date of the summer solstice for such bonfire celebrations.
During these events, students threw books onto the bonfires as part of scripted rituals, often performing the Nazi salute and following the lead of high Nazi officials present at the ceremonies. Radio broadcast time was carefully scheduled, and radio broadcasts brought the speeches, propaganda songs, and ceremonial chants to countless German listeners across the country. The books that student leaders burned included works by Jewish authors, socialists, critics of fascism, and other writers, such as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, and Ernest Hemingway, among many others. This deliberate destruction of literature represents an attempt to erase foreign influences, Jewish intellectualism, and other forms of dissent from German culture. The phrase “wo man Bücher verbrennt” (“where they burn books”) became a chilling symbol of this cultural purge, echoing the warning in Heine’s famous quote. The book burnings were seen as an ominous sign of the regime’s broader intent to suppress intellectual freedom, using the public context of these events to send a message of cultural purification and the creation of the “future German man” moulded by Nazi ideals. The campaign also targeted the German language and national language, aiming to purify them from perceived corruption and non-Aryan elements. The evil spirit of past ideas and philosophies was invoked as justification for this literary purge, as the regime sought to overwrite Germany’s intellectual heritage.
The monument today depicts a sunken library showing what is missing with the ominous quote from Heinrich Heine:
“That was but a prelude; where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well.” - Heinrich Heine
The Nazi book burnings were not isolated incidents but rather a key part of the Nazi regime’s broader campaign to reshape German society according to their ideology. In the years leading up to World War II, the Nazis sought to eliminate dissent and enforce traditional German values by targeting any ideas or works they considered “un-German”. This literary purge was accompanied by widespread newspaper coverage and orchestrated radio broadcasts, which brought the Nazi message into countless German homes. The regime’s efforts extended far beyond burning books—they also persecuted Jewish authors, intellectuals, and anyone whose views did not align with Nazi ideology, destroying other written materials and silencing opposition. Institutions like the US Holocaust Memorial Museum offer further information on the significance of these events, helping us understand how the Nazi book burnings fit into the larger context of cultural control and propaganda in Germany during this era. The campaign to synchronise German culture was a crucial step in the Nazis’ path to power, setting the stage for the horrors of World War II.
Soviet memorial - Tiergarten
The overwhelming early success of the German Wehrmacht, aided by the use of Blitzkrieg tactics, enabled the German Army to conquer all of Western mainland Europe in just two years. Overconfident, Hitler now turns his attention to the east to defeat what he saw as the real enemy of National Socialism, the Soviet Union. Operation Barbarossa, launched on June 22nd, 1941, was the largest land invasion the world had ever seen. Expecting the Soviet Army to collapse, a quick victory was anticipated by Christmas.
The invasion would ultimately be their undoing. We cannot underestimate the brutality of the fighting in Eastern Europe, with Stalingrad serving as the turning point for the Soviets in 1942.
Three years later, on April 20th, 1945, the Soviet Red Army reached the outer city limits. The ensuing battle would be one of the bloodiest during the war, resulting in over 80,000 Soviets killed, 2,000 of whom are buried in the grounds. The Soviets quickly erected the memorial following Germany's surrender, using recycled material from Hitler's Reich Chancellery and the surrounding political buildings. Battle scars can still be seen in the moment from the recycled stone used in the construction.
Built in the British sector of Berlin, the move was initially welcomed until the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, after which it quickly became seen as a sign of communist provocation. Soviet Honour Guards were used to protect the monument from vandalism, but as tensions rose, the British government was forced to intervene and station British soldiers here as well to protect the monument from protestors.
Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe
Located in the heart of Berlin, the memorial serves as a striking place of remembrance. Designed by New York architect Peter Eisenmann in 2005, there is no official explanation, making the memorial unique.
Open on all four sides, the space features 2,711 concrete blocks of varying sizes. The memorial slopes inward on uneven ground in an almost wave-like fashion, giving visitors a feeling of instability or uncertainty.
What I think makes this monument so special is that, as no official explanation has been provided, it is up to the visitor to develop their own understanding through interaction with the space. This, in my opinion, creates a much longer-lasting impression on the visitor. Located in close proximity are also the memorials to the murdered homosexuals and the Roma and Sinti, two further groups persecuted by the Nazis.
The Führerbunker / Hitler’s Bunker
Located underneath what was the Reich Chancellery, Hitler's main office, was the Führerbunker. Construction first began in 1936, with an added phase of construction being completed in 1944.
Hitler moved into the bunker complex on the 16th of January 1945, along with his senior staff. Seldom leaving the safety of the bunker, he expected to attend military conferences in the undamaged sections of the Reich Chancellery or to walk his dog Blondi in the gardens. Hitler made his last trip to the surface on his 56th birthday, April 20, 1945, where he awarded the Iron Cross to boy soldiers fighting in the Hitler Youth.
In the days that followed, the situation in the bunker became desperate, with Hitler's ramblings of wonder weapons and moving fictitious army units with dreams of launching counterattacks to win the war becoming more and more delusional.
As the Soviet Army drew closer, Hitler accepted his time was up and, as an acknowledgement of her loyalty, would marry his long-time mistress, Eva Braun, in a civil ceremony on April 29th. Early the next morning, on the 30th of April, both Hitler and Eva would commit suicide. Hitler was adamant he did not want their bodies discovered out of fear they would be paraded through the streets and tasked his remaining loyal staff to have his and Eva's bodies incinerated. According to survivor testimony, the bodies wrapped in blankets were placed in a bomb crater and subsequently cremated—Hitler's remains have never been discovered.
Ministry for Aviation
At the time of its completion in 1936, in time for the Berlin Olympic Games, the Ministry for Aviation was the largest office building in Europe. Designed by architect Ernst Sagebiel, the building is the typical expression of National Socialist intimidation architecture, as its size and grandeur dominate the landscape.
The ministry, under the command of Hermann Goering, had a sole purpose: to support the Luftwaffe (the German Air Force) with aircraft and to design and develop new aviation technologies. The Luftwaffe was a key component of the German military and instrumental in the early success of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Consequently, high-profile military parades took place in the streets. The ministry collapsed in 1945 due to severe shortages of fuel and material in the late stages of the war.
The building survived the war in remarkably good condition, suffering only minor damage. After the war, the building would serve as the headquarters of the Council of Ministers of the East German Government. Currently, it serves as the German Tax Office.
The Topography of Terror
A site of remembrance today, the Topography of Terror was the location of the SS headquarters under the command of Heinrich Himmler. The building complex housed the SS central command, the Gestapo, and the SS security service. The SS was the primary instrument of terror used by the Nazis to persecute their victims. The site consisted of several buildings, most notably the first-class Prinz Albrecht Hotel, which was commandeered by the SS in 1934. Combined, this location became a ‘house prison' to interrogate, torture, and execute prisoners.
In total, the Gestapo arrested more than 15,000 opponents to the Nazi regime. Who were such opponents? Anyone who dared speak against the Nazi Party: politicians, students, and protestors. Including those who neighbours and friends turned in for simply speaking ill of the Nazi party at home or at social engagements.
All that remains of the site today is the basement where prisoners were interrogated and tortured before being sent to concentration camps. A section of the Berlin Wall above is also managed by the exhibition and was not destroyed during reunification. These two sites combined serve as a warning to the world of what can happen if power is left unchecked. The ruins below represent the consequences of the Nazi Party and top the failures of Soviet communism.
Also on the site is the Topography of Terror exhibition. A fantastic museum that is free to visit, and if you're anything like me and enjoy reading everything, it will take you 3-4 hours to get through.
Anhalter Bahnhof
A relatively hidden site, Anhalter Bahnhof is one of the best places to get up close to the ruins of Hitler's Third Reich. Constructed in 1841, Anhalter Bahnhof was Berlin's largest and most opulent train station. With 44,000 passengers passing through the station each day. Badly damaged by Allied bombings, we have been left with the front façade of the station today. This fragment of Anhalter Bahnhof stands as a memorial to the Jewish community in Berlin, as Anhalter Bahnhof was 1 of 3 stations used in Berlin to deport some 55,000 Jews from the city.
In total, 9,500 Jews passed through the doors here in small groups of 50–100. Loaded onto specially marked passenger carriages, so as not to arouse suspicion. They were then transported to Theresienstadt in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and from there to concentration camps.
The modern Anhalter Bahnhof exists today as part of an underground section of the S-Bahn, Berlin's train system. If you follow my top ten list here, it is a great place to end, as the train connection here can take you directly to central Berlin.
The Human Cost: Impact of the War on Berliners
For the people of Berlin, the Nazi regime’s policies—including the infamous book burnings—ushered in a period of fear, repression, and unimaginable loss. Jewish authors, intellectuals, and countless others found themselves targeted, their works destroyed, and their lives upended. The trauma of these events rippled through the city, as tens of thousands were forced to flee, imprisoned, or ultimately murdered. The book burnings were a chilling prelude to the violence that would follow, marking the beginning of a campaign that would devastate Berlin’s vibrant cultural life and lead to the deaths of so many. Today, the city honours the memory of the murdered Jews and all those who suffered under the Nazi regime through powerful memorials and museums. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe stands in the heart of Berlin as a stark reminder of the human cost of intolerance and the enduring need to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
Preserving Memory: How Berlin Honours Its WWII Legacy
Today, Berlin is deeply committed to confronting its past and ensuring that the lessons of history are not forgotten. The city is home to a wealth of museums, memorials, and historical sites, such as the Holocaust Memorial, the German History Museum, and the Berlin Wall Memorial, each offering insight into the city’s complex journey through the twentieth century. Beyond these physical spaces, Berlin invests in educational programs, cultural events, and commissioned articles that encourage reflection and dialogue about its history. In our digital age, preserving memory has become even more vital, as new generations access history through both traditional and digital means. The city’s dedication to remembrance is a testament to the importance of promoting tolerance and human rights. The words of Heinrich Heine—“Where one burns books, one will soon burn people”—echo through Berlin’s memorials, serving as a powerful warning against the dangers of censorship, oppression, and forgetting the past.
Conclusion
So that is my top 10 WW2 sites in Berlin. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below if you agree with my list or if there are any other sites you think I should have included.
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Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next time, On the Front.
This article was written by Matthew Menneke.
Matt is the founder and guide of 'On the Front Tours', offering military history tours in Berlin. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Matt's passion for history led him to serve in the Australian Army Reserve for eight years. With a degree in International Politics and a successful sales career, he discovered his love for guiding while working as a tour guide in Australia. Since moving to Berlin in 2015, Matt has combined his enthusiasm for history and guiding by creating immersive tours that bring the past to life for his guests.