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Beyond Berlin’s History - making sense of the present learning from the past

Duration: 3h and 45min
Languages: English
Guru: Mary
Quality Verified Registered on April 24, 2023

Hi, I’m Mary and I hope you can have a fantastic time at one of my tours! I grew up in Warsaw where my Jewish/Polish roots and family’s experience pointed me towards a keen interest in European history. In my work I combine my interest in social sciences with experience as a journalist fixer and grassroot organiser to deliver understandable explanation of even most complex processes and phenomena that shaped Germany and Europe as it is today. I have lived in Berlin for 3 years now, which have been intense and extremely educational. I gained tour guiding experience working for the commercial market leader. Now I offer my independent tours - I’m particularly fond of those visitors who would like to reflect for a minute longer and go beyond the standard tourist glimpse-catching. Challenge your thinking, deepen your historical knowledge, feel the great vibes of the heart of Europe - just come along!

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Welcome to Berlin! Join me for a captivating tour of Berlin's rich and complex history. Starting at Alexanderplatz, we'll explore the city's diverse landmarks and delve into its fascinating past.

My tour will take us to iconic sites such as the Marx and Engels Memorial, Museums Island, the Nazi book burning site, Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie, the remains of the Berlin Wall, Hitler's bunker, the Jewish Memorial, the Reichstag, and the Brandenburg Gate.

What sets my tour apart is my unique perspective on history. My focus is not just on the places themselves, but on the ideas they reflect. As a Jewish woman of Polish heritage, I approach Berlin's past with a deep sense of personal connection and empathy. I tell the stories of my own family, weaving together personal narratives with broader historical themes.

Rather than simply presenting historical facts and events, I approach the subject of ideologies like fascism from a sociological perspective, highlighting their current relevance.

We'll explore the ways in which Berlin's history has shaped its character and identity, and how it continues to impact the city today. We'll examine the parallels between the past and present and reflect on the lessons we can learn from history.

So come along with me on this unforgettable journey through the heart of Berlin. Let's gain a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped it into the vibrant and dynamic metropolis it is today.

Attention! 
Please be aware that nobody can be accepted on this tour from 10 minutes after the tour’s start. Thank you for your cooperation.

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 8, 10178 Berlin,...
    Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 8, 10178 Berlin, Germany
    View on map

    We meet on Alexanderplatz, in the precise center of the city. I’ll be waiting for you with a red umbrella in front of the Marienkirche church

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Marienkirche
  • 2
    Outside visit
    Marx-Engels-Forum
  • 3
    Outside visit
    Museum Island
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Humboldt Forum

    Reconstruction of the original Imperial Palace.

  • 5
    Outside visit
    Unter den Linden
  • 6
    Outside visit
    Humboldt-Universität in Berlin
  • 7
    Outside visit
    Bebelplatz, book burning site
  • 8
    Outside visit
    Gendarmenmarkt

    (May not be accessible due to the ongoing renovation)

  • 9
    Outside visit
    Checkpoint Charlie

    15-minute break is scheduled on arrival here.

  • 10
    Outside visit
    Bundesministerium of Finance

    Original building of the former Nazi Aviation Ministry.

  • 11
    Outside visit
    Berlin Wall Remains
  • 12
    Outside visit
    Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
  • 13
    Outside visit
    Hitler’s Bunker
  • 14
    Outside visit
    Reichstag/Bundestag (Berlin)
  • 15
    Outside visit
    Brandenburg Gate

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

414 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
4.91
Fun
4.7
Expression
4.91
Quality
4.9
Route
4.93
Generic
5 stars
381
4 stars
26
3 stars
7
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Adrian 10 Jun 2024

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Jun 2024
Going on guided city tour with Marysia give you 1st class experience in Berlin vibe, communism and 2nd world war history from Berlin and people perspective. I honestly recommend!!!
Pang Chuan 08 Jun 2024
Singapore

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Jun 2024
Mary is very knowledgeable. She set up and presented a good background at the start before the walk commenced. At different stop locations, she also elaborated on the history. She is indeed a guru guide passionate with the history, and yet, feels for the future. Highly recommended.
DJ Fernando 07 Jun 2024
Melbourne

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Jun 2024
Mary was awesome. Great tour to see and learn about the top sights in Berlin. Definitely recommend this tour!
Neha 07 Jun 2024
Dublin

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Jun 2024
She was amazing…it’s not just about telling the facts and history but bringing it alive especially when you do this all the time it can get monotonous. Great job!! Best start to Berlin
Vitaly 07 Jun 2024
Prague

Verified booking
Travelled in group - Jun 2024
That was A-MA-ZING, 10 stars experience! Being a professional guide myself, I was so so-oh-so pleased with the feeling I had in Berlin during the tour! I even "stole" some ideas from my beloved Mary (with her approval of course), on how to make my tours better - that's how professional and interesting it was. Incredible tour, lots of information, pictures, we had a small coffee-brake, which was very nice. Usually the free-tours are short on info, they just give you an idea and a first impression of where you are, but with Mary I immediately got to know Berlin on so many levels. 4 hours just flew by. Wish I could spend several days with Mary. Fantastic, simply fantastic.
Show 414 reviews

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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