Potsdamer Platz facts for kids

Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz is a famous public square and busy traffic hub in Berlin, Germany. It sits right between the old city center in the east and the newer western parts of Berlin. This important area connects to Leipziger Platz nearby. Today, Potsdamer Platz is known for its modern buildings, shops, and entertainment. It's a place where history and modern life meet.

The History of Potsdamer Platz
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The History of Potsdamer Platz

Potsdamer Platz has a long and interesting history. For a long time, it was one of the busiest places in Europe. It was a major crossroads for roads and railways.

Early Days and Growth

In the 18th century, Potsdamer Platz was just outside Berlin's city gates. It was named after the city of Potsdam. People traveled through here on their way to and from Potsdam.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area grew rapidly. It became a lively center for shopping, hotels, and entertainment. Many grand buildings were built here. It was a symbol of Berlin's fast growth and modern spirit.

First Traffic Light in Europe

In 1924, something special happened at Potsdamer Platz. Germany's first traffic light tower was put up here. This helped manage the huge amount of cars, trams, and people. It showed how modern and busy the square had become.

World War II and Destruction

During World War II, Berlin was heavily bombed. Potsdamer Platz was almost completely destroyed. The once-lively square became a pile of ruins. Many famous buildings were gone.

The Cold War and the Berlin Wall

After the war, Berlin was divided. Potsdamer Platz ended up right on the border between East Berlin and West Berlin. This meant it became a desolate, empty space.

When the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, Potsdamer Platz was cut in half. It became part of the "death strip" next to the Wall. This was a guarded area that no one could enter. For nearly 30 years, this once-busy square was empty and quiet. It was a stark reminder of Berlin's division.

Reunification and New Beginnings

In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. This was a huge moment for Germany. Potsdamer Platz was suddenly open again. It was a large, empty space in the heart of a reunited city.

This empty space offered a unique chance. Architects and city planners could design a whole new district from scratch. It became one of Europe's biggest construction sites.

Modern Development

From the mid-1990s, Potsdamer Platz was rebuilt. Many famous companies and architects helped. Today, it is a modern urban area with many different buildings.

Sony Center: This is a striking complex with a huge tent-like roof. It has cinemas, restaurants, and offices. It's a popular spot for visitors.
Daimler-Benz Quarter: This area includes offices, shops, and apartments. It also has the Arkaden shopping mall.
Kollhoff Tower: This tall brick building offers great views of the city.

Potsdamer Platz is now a vibrant place again. It has cinemas, theaters, restaurants, and shopping malls. It's a popular destination for both Berliners and tourists. It shows how a city can rebuild and reinvent itself after difficult times.

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Potsdamer Platz in 2016
2006
The Sony Center, 2004
Proposed design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel for Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Platz.
Artist's rendering of the new Potsdam Gate after completion.
Potsdamer Platz – the Potsdamer Bahnhof around 1900.
Located a short distance away – the Anhalter Bahnhof around 1900.
Potsdamer Platz around 1900, looking north. The Grand Hotel Bellevue and Palast Hotel stand on either side of the northern portion of Königgräzer Strasse (to be renamed Budapester Straße in 1915 and Friedrich Ebertstraße in 1925).
Potsdamer Platz in the mid-1920s, looking east into Leipziger Platz, with the Hotel Furstenhof on the right. A traffic light tower was erected on the elliptical central island in 1924.
Observation deck in West Berlin with a view of Potsdamer Platz on the other side of the Berlin Wall, 1977. At the bottom of the steps is a placard showing what the square looked like in 1929.
The Wertheim department store in 1927, showing the main facade along Leipziger Strasse
Stresemannstraße at night, July 1932, showing the Haus Vaterland. The Hotel Fürstenhof is in the left foreground while the brightly illuminated building in the distance is Europahaus, opposite the Anhalter Bahnhof.
The traffic light tower in November 1924, one month in operation (the ground around it still has to be cleared and paved). The street behind it is Bellevuestraße, with the canopy over Café Josty's pavement terrace visible on the left.
Pre-World War II heyday: Potsdamer Platz in 1932, showing the ultra-modern Columbushaus nearing completion.
Devastation in 1945. The burnt-out Columbushaus is in the left background.
Potsdamer Platz in October 1945. The Pschorr-Haus is the recognizable structure on the left. A short way down Potsdamer Straße on the left side the corner cupola of the Weinhaus Huth can be seen, while on the right are the ruins of Café Josty and the Weinhaus Rheingold.
Potsdamer Platz in May 1950 – British Daimler Armoured Cars in front of the House of Tourism ("Haus des Fremdenverkehrs")
Potsdamer Platz seen through barbed wire in 1963
Empty Potsdamer Platz in 1977
Berlin Wall At Potsdammerplatz 1962
Line on the ground marking where the Wall used to stand, on the edge of Leipziger Platz (2015)
The Potsdamer Platz crossing, seen here from the west into East Berlin, opened days after the first breach of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.
Potsdamer Platz by day
Potsdamer Platz at night
Potsdamer Platz from distance
Beisheim Center
Mall of Berlin at Leipziger Platz
Looking south over Potsdamer Platz in September 2005. The long green strip is Tilla Durieux Park, the site of the former Potsdamer Bahnhof and its approaches. The Park Kolonnaden development is on its left (eastern) side, while the Daimler development parallels it down the right (west) side. In the left foreground is Leipziger Platz, while in the right foreground are parts of the Sony and Beisheim Centers.
Berlin Wall at Potsdamer Platz, 1975, looking southeast into Stresemannstraße
Potsdamer Platz, 1986
Potsdamer Strasse, 1986
A view from the West Berlin side on the 25th anniversary of the Wall.
Workers clearing the square for a new border crossing, November 1989
East German officer monitors traffic returning to East Berlin, November 1989.
East German officer checks a car returning to East Berlin, November 1989.
Crossing between East and West Berlin, November 1989
Potsdamer Platz crossing passport stamp, 1990
Potsdamer Platz in 2005, with the replica of Germany's first traffic lights. In the background stands the Beisheim Centre.
The Sony Centre's Bahn Tower, Deutsche Bahn's corporate headquarters at Potsdamer Platz, in 2009.
The 2007 Berlinale (aka the Berlin International Film Festival): its principal venue at Potsdamer Platz.
Potsdamer Platz: the Sony Centre and Bahn Tower in 2007.
The New Potsdamer Strasse towards Potsdamer Platz in 2007. On the left side is the Bahn-Tower and on the right the Kollhoff-Tower
Residential building by Richard Rogers, part of the Daimler complex at Potsdamer Platz, in 2008.
Entrance hall (one of two) of the new underground regional train station (Bahnhof Potsdamer Platz) in 2005. It also gives access to the S-Bahn and the basement level food floor of the Arkaden shopping mall.