Bernau bei Berlin (which means Bernau near Berlin in English) is a German city. It is located in the Barnim district, about 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of the big city of Berlin.

Bernau has an interesting history, especially with transportation. In 1842, a railway line was opened, making travel easier. Later, in 1924, one of the world's first electric suburban train lines started here. This line, part of the Berlin S-Bahn, connected Bernau to Berlin's Stettiner Bahnhof (now called Berlin Nordbahnhof). In 1930, a special school for workers was opened by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (ADGB), which was a large group of trade unions. Bernau also has a unique area called the Waldsiedlung. This was a special neighborhood where the political leaders of GDR (German Democratic Republic) lived, often quite separate from everyone else.

Friends Around the World: Twinned Cities

Bernau bei Berlin has special friendships with other cities around the world. These are called "twinned cities" or "sister cities." It means they share culture and ideas.