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Berlin's Jewish Quarter is a popular tourist attraction with many visitors and residents. The population of the Jewish Quarter is around 2000 people, which is just over one percent of Berlin's total population.
The history of the area dates back to the 1700s, when it was full of warehouses and small workshops. Only in 1923 did it become home to Berlin's largest synagogue, built by Otto Rothschild.
There are many things that make the Jewish Quarter an incredible place for travellers to visit, including its rich culture, architecture and history. If you're interested in visiting this particular area during your travels to Berlin, make sure you don't miss out on all of these opportunities and book a Free Tour like the ones we offer at GuruWalk!
In addition to the aforementioned Synagogue, St. Sophia Church is another important religious building in the neighbourhood.
St. Sophia's Church in Berlin's Jewish Quarter is located on Oranienburger Strasse. It was built in 1722 and then the building was converted into a synagogue from 1866 to 1886. After it was bombed and destroyed during World War II, the church was rebuilt in 1995.
The church is open to visitors every day except Fridays, when it is closed to worshippers. Visitors can enter and see what the services look like inside with stained glass windows, marble floors and beautiful ceilings.
Without leaving aside the religious theme, the old Jewish cemetery is another must-see.
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Berlin's Jewish Quarter has been a point of interest for tourists for some time. This is because it is one of the few cemeteries that have been preserved.
The cemetery was established in 1672 and is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe. It houses graves of people who lived in Berlin during different periods, from 1676 to 1887.
The cemetery was destroyed during World War II by Nazi soldiers and used as an airfield, but was restored with financial assistance from the German government and Israeli embassies and organisations.
But it's not all about religious themes. The Palace of Tears is worth mentioning.
This palace was built in 1936 by the Nazis. Its construction was overseen by Albert Speer, the Nazi Minister of Armaments and War Production. The Nazis envisioned it as a luxury residence for Adolf Hitler to use after he conquered the world and won World War II. However, it ended up being used as a top-secret military headquarters during the war, and later as Soviet military headquarters.
The palace is now part of Berlin's public museum system. It has been restored to its original state, with period furniture and works of art on display from Germany's Third Reich era (1933-1945). Visitors can walk through the rooms Hitler planned for his own use: his office with its large round table, his private library and sitting room, his bedroom with its marble fireplace.