“Paris is always Paris and Berlin is never Berlin!" remarked former French culture minister, Jack Lang, of this continuously evolving city that blends the old with the new into a vibrant, unique, colourful, creative and downright sexy city.

From its modest beginnings in the 13th century, Berlin has grown and developed into one of the most powerful cities in Europe. Since the historic fall of the infamous Berlin wall in 1989 and reunification in 1990, change and reinvention has been her mantra. Magnificent public buildings of old stand alongside trendy art galleries, restaurants, clubs and sidewalk cafés: yesterday and today, the past, the present and the future. Berlin is at the core of modern Germany with an effervescent energy and sense of life at full throttle that will both fascinate and enchant you.

		One of Berlin’s most notable landmarks, completed in 1791, is the Brandenburg Gate—which now stands as a symbol of the reunification of the two sides of this great city. Commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II to represent peace, it was ironically, incorporated into the Berlin wall during the years of Communist government.

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Tuesday, 20 May, 2008 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium

With a history dating back to 1868, and designated in 1904 by Emperor Wilhelm II as a People’s Park, the area where the Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) now stands was originally built for the aborted 1916 Summer Olympics. 
 
It was here, in the 1936 Summer Olympics that athlete Jesse Owens famously won four gold medals, making him the first American in the history of Olympic Track and Field to win four gold medals in a single Olympics.
 
During the tumultuous years of WWII, the stadium stood relatively unscathed and, in 1946, became home to the British military until 1994.
 

The Olympic complex encompasses hockey, swimming, and equestrian stadiums, as well as a theatre and the oval-shaped Olympic Stadium. If the seats of the Olympic Stadium were to be placed in a row, its length would amount to around 42 kilometres. The stadium is also known for its football and has been host for matches in both the 1974 and 2006 FIFA World Cup.
 
It is in these walls and on these grounds that greatness has been achieved, it is in this place where dreams have been realized and where mankind has triumphed.

For more information about things to do while in Berlin, visit the following Web sites:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/germany/berlin/

http://www.visitberlin.de/english/berlin-infos/e_bi_anreise.php

http://www.timeout.com/travel/berlin/

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