German Historical Museum

History museum · Mitte

German Historical Museum

History museum · Mitte

1

Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany

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German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null
German Historical Museum by null

Highlights

Explore the striking blend of Baroque and modern architecture at this museum, showcasing Germany's history through innovative exhibitions like "Roads Not Taken."  

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Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany Get directions

dhm.de
@dhmberlin

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Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany Get directions

+49 30 203040
dhm.de
@dhmberlin

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Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@afar

"Museums in Berlin I believe you need to put yourself in a certain mindset before making a trip to Berlin . It's not a beautiful city—in the traditional sense—and walking around the city can be very grim. However, the history and artwork displayed in many Berlin museums is worth the trip. My two favorites were the Deutsches Historiches Museum and the Pergamon Museum. By Meghan Casey"

The Best Museums in Berlin
View Postcard for German Historical Museum

Jen Wan

Google
They are updating their permanent exhibition so I'm glad the new Pei Bau (architect of the Louvre pyramid) is open for some temporary shows. Not sure what others are expecting? On the basement they made an effort to tell history in a new way. A lot of What Ifs, like an alternative possibility in history. It reflects a lot of sentiments when things happen - say, what if the assassination (of Hilter) is successful? The layout is cutting edge. The optical illusion layouts seems very innovative, and not too text heavy. I particularly enjoyed the cold war part and where they draw parallel to the June 4 massacre in Beijing 1989. There was even a well-made iPad graphic novel / interactive game where you can go through what the atmosphere was like in Leipzig in 1989. We will unfortunately never have such storytelling in Hong Kong. So thank you for remembering that part of history. On the upper levels there's another exhibition about the enlightenment with older / more traditional exhibits, when science just came into lifes of those in 1700s or so. A rainy afternoon well spent indoors.

AXZ

Google
The main building is closed and the Zeughaus is being renovated. The exhibition “Roads not Taken” is located in the Pei Building. This exhibition is about the turning points in German history in the 19th and 20th centuries. The postmodern Pei Building is a great compliment to the historical one.

Osin Oz

Google
Unless you wanna to know and well studied the German history, it's hard to arouses interests by browsing thru so much information provided during the visit. Yet the grimmer past just not my ideal to add on the horrible weather during my stay in Berlin.

Daniela Ricardez

Google
The BEST MUSEUM Everything is suuuper Interesting and times fly there I love it

Jason Whittle

Google
The German Historical Museum was a very educational experience. The exhibition I visited was called "Roads Not Taken", basically how things could have turned out differently. Unfortunately they didn't and we know what happened...The building is an attractive example of modern German architecture.

amir waqas

Google
A very boring museum. Really tired there. There was nothing there. I heard that their one main portion os closed due to some kind of renovation. Technically the whole museum should ve been closed.

A Nabs

Google
Very disappointing. Their main display is down for refurbishment, and they do advertise this status. I paid 10 euros for two ongoing exhibitions (3, counting a child's one which I didnt get to). The first one was just ok, 'What is Enlightenment' which had some displays on scientific and philosophical changes from the 1600s on. Some models and a lot of original prints of important published works. Just ok, overall. The 2nd exhibition was 'Roads Not Taken', which I only got partway through before some attendant demanded I put my jacket on (I'd taken it off aince the building was warm compared to the cool November outside... strange requirement for a museum, and it was a demand). This area dealt with postwar divided Germany through the Cold War and reunification, with some relics, posters, and discussion of political forces from both east and west in that turbulent time. It seemed just ok- nothing I wasn't already aware of. So with the main display closed and these two mediocre exhibitions priced at 10 euro (with a third children's area), it's really not worth the time or money. Maybe when the refurbishment is complete, but not now. Even so, very odd that one can't carry a jacket while viewing but must wear it. An attendant said it was due to 'security', which is absurd. Don't go here, there are better things to do in Berlin.

Lukasz Zbylut

Google
The permanent exhibition is closed, so only the contemporary history is covered in a special exhibit

Jpb T.

Yelp
There is an awesome timeline about German/Prussian history at street level. They do have educational flims. The guided tours are in different languages.

Aprille C.

Yelp
Umfortunatley when we went today, they are renovating the old building. So the new building had only ONE exhibit on immigrants. Very disappointing. Luckily admission was included in our Berlin Museum passes. Or it wouldn't have been worthwhile. And I think we were told renovation would last until 2025! I thought we would get the history of Berlin!!!!

Phil G.

Yelp
Super important museum if you're interested in understanding...pretty much everything about Germany. Disclaimer: I'm not a museum enthusiast and spent over 6 hours here. It's large and well organized. Start on the upper floor and follow the chronology starting in 500 AD. Wander through a series of rooms that take you up to 1918. We spent 3 hours on that. After a lunch break, we went through years 1918 up to the end of the Berlin Wall. The museum closes at 6pm and we didn't quite finish. Another feature is that we got to see how other world powers were interacting with Germany at various points in history. Must see

Susan L.

Yelp
We spent about three hours at the museum today and it was well worth visiting. There's a HUGE amount of very detailed information (text) throughout the museum and therefore a visit entails a very serious outlook. Note that almost everything is translated into English. There's also a good-sized restaurant - and although we didn't eat there, we looked at the bakery case; the (many) different varieties of cakes were *gorgeous* and really tempting-looking. Also, the bookstore has a *terrific* selection; especially photo books.

Smart S.

Yelp
Super important museum if you're interested in understanding...pretty much everything about Germany. Disclaimer: I'm not a museum enthusiast and spent over 6 hours here. It's large and well organized

Brian G.

Yelp
I have to say I highly enjoyed this museum. It gives a historical overview of Germany throughout the ages. There was a ton of material that we just didn't have enough time to devote to properly. The one draw back is that most of the text is in German with minimal English text. This isn't that surprising given it is in Germany, but you miss out on many of the nuances of the artifacts as a result. The collection is beautiful, and even with the minimal English text I still very much enjoyed it.

Andrew L.

Yelp
This museum feels like you are literally walking through time. It took me hours to go through this one (my feet weren't happy, but my brain was). The plaques have excellent descriptions of what you are seeing. It really is a good and thorough look at German history. If you want to know how the Germans became Germans, this is the place to be!

Alexis B.

Yelp
The German History Museum contains an amazingly broad collection of artifacts (more than 7,000 objects) from German history (beginning in 500 CE)! It also has a special exhibitions hall and a cinema. The permanent exhibition - Germany History in Images and Artifacts - is HUGE and can take hours to explore! But it's a great museum to explore on any trip to Berlin!

Claudia K.

Yelp
Allow yourself time to stroll in this regal museum. You can just feel the history. Bonus: it has one of the best restaurants in Berlin, a feel from it like right out of the 40's. The best Marzipan cake ever and I had one of my best meals there in Berlin. The store is fab also. All else has been said...If you visit just one museum, it should be this one. Footnote: do not expect good service at all in their restaurant...so you may to wave and act silly and make funny faces to get attention...too bad It seems quite common to have sub par service in Berlin...oh well

Rima F.

Yelp
I am surprised by my review 3 years ago. This time I found this museum to be very impressive- almost essential to obtaining an understanding of German history. This place is so packed with fascinating information that it took me 2 long visits to even get to the 18th Century!

Zain K.

Yelp
Maybe the best museum of its kind I've ever been to (if someone knows of a better one anywhere in the world, please let me know so I can put it on my bucket list!). I spend three hours here one afternoon, returned the following morning for another three, and still only saw about two-thirds of the museum. The chronological layout is well thought out, the artifacts are well selected and presented, and the story is well told (there is much to read). And all this for only around four euro. In lieu of a ticket they give you a little sticker to wear on your shirt. I just wore the same shirt the second day instead of paying another another entrance (in retrospect, that was probably a little cheap of me). I'll be back to complete the museum (and will buy another sticker this time)...

Laura O.

Yelp
if you are looking for a place to learn about Germany's history hands-on, whala! This is the place to go! Admission to get in here is very cheap and it is located near the tower. The museum itself is very large and spacious, which means you won't be bumping into people or waiting in long lines. You see a little bit of everything, art, sculptures, historic tools, armory, weapons, costumes etc. This is definitely a must visit to museum during your trip to Germany!

Ilkin I.

Yelp
I always loved this place and their temporary exhibitions. Nowadays, they have an exhibition called "Art from the Holocaust" where the museum exhibits the collection of Yad Vashem Holocaust Research Center from Israel. There are 100 pieces of paintings that drew by Jewish victims at concentration camps all around Europe. Its open till April 3, 2016.

Amber F.

Yelp
We came here on a free day and were immediately bummed that we didn't come in earlier. We probably had about 2 hours in the museum before closing and felt like we had to run through it to even get a glimpse of what they have. You could easily spend all day in here and still have more to see. This gives a great window into Germany's past, art, and culture. The museum going in chronological order, so if you have any specific period you are interested in it will be easy to find it. The architecture of building is awesome as well. With a very modern entrance you eventually make your way into the next door building which is a much more classic building, sorry my architecture terms are not the best. Next time we are in Berlin, I plan to put aside an entire day for this one museum.

Erin M.

Yelp
I came here on my first day in Berlin. My mistake was that I didn't get to the museum earlier... I gave myself just under 2 hours before the museum closed. I think to fully enjoy it at a good pace, going for 3 hours is recommended. It's a very rich museum with lots of exhibits that you want to stay and read everything. Many times, they also have a special exhibit included with your price. If you are a student, please remember to bring your id for a student price for tickets. I was told by many people that this museum was one not to be missed. They are right because it is very interesting and extensive. I normally shy away from history museums because I feel they are drab- this is the exception. It is well curated and has lots of things to see and read about. I feel like just going here, I learned so much more about German history than I did in my history classes. The architecture is also very pretty and nice. I came here in the winter and it is nice that they provide coat check. Everyone who works here is very helpful and friendly. There is also a nice gift shop near the exit. If you are looking for other things to see near by, there is also the Cathedral and museum island just a short walk away.

Gregory S.

Yelp
Design: Architectural design is comparable to some of the better museums in America and Europe. I loved the courtyard and center (glass ceilings). The natural light in the courtyard is amazing when it's sunny! I hear the I.M.Pei architectural design (extension) is one of the best in the world! Cafe: When you're hungry, grab a bite to eat in their cafe: huge, flavorful pizzas, delicious bratwurst and sauerkraut, and try the iced tea. Language Accommodation: Most exhibits are in German-Only while others are in English and German. However, you can interpret what you're viewing through context. Convenience: There is coat/bag check available for free on the bottom floor. The service for the coat check is friendly and convenient. I'd recommend for anyone visiting Berlin with special interest in the Cold War Era and Immigration (especially meaningful and timely)

Timothy W.

Yelp
Of all the museums I visited in Berlin, this was, by far, my favorite. I would liken the Deutsches Historiches Museum to a German version of the USA's Smithsonian. The entrance price is high, but if you start early, it is well worth it. I came to the museum late in the day, about two hours before closing (1800 hrs on most days). This was not nearly enough time to properly explore this museum. Situated on the top floor is German history from long long ago to the early 20th Century. The bottom floor explores the country's history from post-WWI onward, including a tasteful yet informative section on National Socialism. I found the top floor interesting, though perhaps a little overwhelming due to the sheer number of exhibits. One could spend many hours on the top floor alone. The bottom floor, with many real exhibits from that dark period in German history, was both frightening and fascinating. It also had a detailed section on post-WWII divided Germany. I highly recommend this museum, though I suggest allotting a significant amount of time to fully enjoy it.

Claire P.

Yelp
If you're interested in the history of Germany and so happen to be in Berlin, this is an excellent place to visit. There's a small admissions charge, however there's plenty to see (and learn) so you can definitely ensure that you get your monies worth. As well as the main history exhibition there's a smaller exhibition space on the lower floor which changes quite regularly. The main exhibition space is laid out in chronological order so if you're looking for a specific section of history it's easy to navigate to where you want to be. There's also a choice to purchase an audio guide upon entrance so if you're interested in learning extra tid bits and hearing some anidotes I'd certainly recommend it. There's also plenty of art work, memorabilia, newspaper cuttings, photos, books and other historical objects to browse whilst wandering through the museum. I wouldn't really say that this museum is child friendly, as there's lots of reading and walking to do.

Keith B.

Yelp
Stunning. Sweeping. Complete. If you have any interest in Central European history, this museum is a must! €8 entry fee and well worth every euro. The number of original document artifacts is staggering. Some of the best artifacts are tucked away ( maybe intentionally for third Reich artifacts) , I spent 5 hours here and was engaged and fascinated the whole time.

Alexandra M.

Yelp
Normally I get bored in museums when it gets to information I've kind of heard before but didn't hear all of it...but that didn't happen at all here. I was in here for at least an hour only reading the main parts (and then had to run to more museums) and talked to someone in my hostel who spent over 2 hours in here and then wondered where the time went. Really good displays and they don't spend too much time on information you can find in other museums (i.e. the last 70 years) so they can focus more on the further away past. A lot of different aspects that you can interact with as well. Another great deal in Berlin, as it is only 4 euro.

Zachary S.

Yelp
The museum gives you an understanding of Germany's cultural and political history. There's a lot to take in a single visit, so you'll probably come back more than once. The exhibit devoted to the rise of the Nazis did help me to understand the turmoil in Germany after WW I and how it created a fertile environment for Hitler. But, somehow, the relatively small size of the area given to this subject seems inadequate compared to the enormity of the crimes committed and enabled by a people whose scientific and artistic history achievements are in evidence elsewhere in the museum. But to be fair, no amount of space would be adequate. The Museum of Terror elsewhere in Berlin does have a different focus and does a better job of dealing with the planning and management of the Holocaust. My favorite objects in the museum are Napoleon's hat (left behind when he fled the battlefield in 1815--you can still see where his thumb left its mark on the front), an intact tent of an Ottoman general who also fled a battlefield and Hitler's oversized desk, which he had built to impress visitors.

Qype User (aaro…)

Yelp
The German Historical Museum is very close to Museum island and other big museums in Berlin, however its focus is upon Germany (obviously). It covers the history of Germany from around 100BC to the present day. I didn't have time to go through all of this museum (went through about half of it). Most of the items are from 1800s to today, while I was more interested in earlier periods eg. the Reformation and Martin Luther (1500s) so it was a little disappointing that there wasn't much there on Luther despite this being advertised (approximately 10 minutes of time if you read everything). There is a lot more on modern history e.g. Berlin as a divided city so if you are interested in that, you will probably find it quite fascinating. Good points are: - it's got English captions on most things (major things at least) - people speak English - easy to find - big pink building right on Unter den Linden - nice building - not too big you feel overwhelmed e.g. British Museum, Louvre, etc - some wings are air conditioned Best to go there with the Berlin Welcome card (48 hours free public transport, and discounted entry to certain things) so that the costs are lower EUR2.50 instead of EUR5.

Elena L.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this museum. Of all the museums in Berlin this was the first one we chose to visit. Unfortunately, it has left much to be desired. The exhibits look fascinating but don't have much English-language information available aside from occasional brief description. Also, we thought the WW2 and holocaust exhibits were not expansive enough, considering their impact on the world.

Katie D.

Yelp
This place is AMAZING. Definitely worth the price of admission. It will likely take you a couple hours to get through, maybe even a few hours if you really want to take your time and absorb everything. Any aspect of German history you can think of, it's here. It goes in chronological order, all the way from 800 AD (I think) to today. There are loads of posters, military stuff, documents (including a German-language US Declaration of Independence). Costumes, weapons, and paintings abound. It is fascinating to see the changes during each era of Germany's rich history. The great thing too is this place is very spacious, so you don't have a bunch of people crowding around the one thing you're trying to see. I went during a really prime time and I still didn't have issues with the place being overcrowded. It's also right by the DDR Museum and Berliner Dom, so it's a great, easy-to-find location.

Valerie P.

Yelp
I originally wasn't planning on visiting this museum, but I'm very glad that I wound up checking it out. So many interesting items! The permanent exhibit is divided into two sections: one floor of the museum focuses on the history of Germany from the 5th century up to World War I, and the other floor showcases objects from pre-World War II until the end of the 20th century. Many of the more "important" displays have English captions, making it easy for non-German speakers to comprehend the museum. I was very impressed with the wide variety of items being exhibited. The displays about World War II are particularly moving, but don't just skip ahead to the more chronologically recent rooms, as there are many fascinating objects found on the first floor (Suits of armor! Plague masks! Napoleon's hat!) worth your time.

Majlinda K.

Yelp
Very informative and a must see museum. The layout is fantastic and by turning in each corner you chronologically walk through German history. You need a few hours at least to see everything. They go through German history before it was even called Germany right up until what is happening now. Since the place is so massive they do tours of the museum itself and they do English tours as well, so if you are not a big history person this might interest you! Spoiler Alert!! - If you are from the US they have a copy of the Declaration of Independence written in German! Apparently when the declaration was signed a copy of it was in German as well due to the number of German immigrants in the colonies at that time.

Richa B.

Yelp
A lovely, detailed museum with impressive artifacts. Note for English-speakers: the English Audio Guide isn't necessary as the plaques are all in German and English.

John R.

Yelp
One of the better museums I have experienced on my European adventures. I literally only walked in because it was pouring with rain and I needed shelter. Bought myself an dirt cheap €4 student ticket, and boy was I impressed with what they had to offer. Chronological history of Germany from start to finish. I knew very little about Germany, and my crash course in history has really opened me up to why it is such an architecturally amazing city.

john j.

Yelp
The best museum I have ever been to. Laid out in chronological order, with a more-or-less 'one-way' flow, the museum does not have a ton of everything from every period, but it has 'just enough'. Starting from Roman times leading up to almost present day, you wander your way through German history. What is great is the curatorial display. Color coding shows you the time period you are in; one way traffic shows the flow of time and manages crowds; limited objects means only the best are shown. Sometimes little 'asides' or 'further education' areas are available; little lofts filled with other related topics to the time period at hand. For example, during the WW2 area there is a loft with Nazi art and music. Sort of a break-out session. This place is fantastic. Another great area is the East/West area. Divided in two, there are examples of each nation's artifacts mirrored on either side of the hall. A Trabi vs a VW Bug, etc. Other highlights include Napoleon's hat, selections of Pickelhelbe and how they made them into cooking pots, a map with Hitler's writing on it showing annexation of Poland, a V2 rocket engine, the bench from the Nuremburg trials, and the aforementioned East/West area. We spent 4 hours in the museum and actually stayed until closing. We will definitely return. Note: Many things are in English and the little handheld things aren't needed.

Alexandre C.

Yelp
It's a fantastic museum showing German history from 1th century before Christ till 1994; for example Church Reformation and Thirty Years War, French revolution influence in Europe etc. And on the occasion of 25th anniversary, German Historical Museum presents painting from its own collection: More than 100 selected works from time between 14th and 20th centuries. It's important to reserve enough time to visit exhibitions! It can take hours to check every item but it's really a nice thing to do! It's worth it and we really enjoyed it. Service was OK. Price is 8€ (all exhibitions included).

Michael S.

Yelp
This history museum has more coverage of pre-20th century German history than you might expect. There is plenty of coverage of such periods as ancient Germany, the 30 Years War, and German unification. It would take a whole day to go through and read everything. If you skim just the parts you're interested in, it will probably still take 2+ hours to see both floors.

Mimi H.

Yelp
Terrific overview of German history from medieval times to the present. There is no sugarcoating of the horrors of the 20th c, but they are placed in a context that makes them understandable-- the devastation of World War I and the punitive Versailles treaty led to widespread unemployment and starvation that gave rise to National Socialism and the deadly scapegoating of the Jews. It is very easy to spend four or five hours here. Fortunately the museum café is excellent and provides a delicious and welcome respite from the intense exhibits. This was one of the highlights of our 10 day stay in Berlin. Not to be missed

Qype User (varmin…)

Yelp
While not the best organised or signed museum, the DHM presents a salient, detailed history of Berlin's, and Germany's, development through time. There is a notable military focus, which will make some happy and others not. For me, the highlight is the new building, designed by I.M. Pei. The courtyard linking the two has also been brilliantly restored. Two hours for the museum, an hour admiring the architecture. :)

Mohammed G.

Yelp
An extensive collection of artifacts and information on the History of Germany from Charlemagne till German reunification. Give it 3-4 hours explore it fully.

Qype User (Mistra…)

Yelp
This museum is situated within the heart of Berlin, being a place of many historical events itself. I was fascinated by the variety and quality of the exhibition. Nearly every period of German history is presented in detail. Entry prices are very moderate. The museum can be recommended to anyone who has an interest in German history or is visiting Berlin for a few days. But take some time...

Chen L.

Yelp
Museum itself was good. But the good impression was totally distroied by the extremely horrible service in the Museum Cafe. We were six people. When we 5 sit down, and ordered for the 1st time the waiter showed an annoyed face. Later we ordered 2nd time when the 6th person joined us, the waiter showed even longer face. After the meal,it took the waiter more than 10 minutes to bring us the bill. He also emphasized the price didn't include the service fee. What unfriendly and horrile service!! We never go again.

Alex M.

Yelp
This is one of the best museums I have ever been in. In terms of telling a narrative, I think it's unequaled. I've been to most of the great museums in Europe and America, and this one is really something special. We spent a couple of hours, and only got to the 18th century, so we went to have lunch and came back, and spent a few more hours. I STILL didn't get to see everything. They will give you a sticker to wear- so you can spend a few hours, take a break (eat, sit down!) and come back and see more. I really recommend this place. We have seen so many great things in Berlin- wouldn't have wanted to miss any of them, but I would not have wanted to miss this either. My Berlin top 10- Deutsches Historisches Museum, Reichstag TOUR (free, book in advance, and eat in the restaurant), TV tower (eat there), Potsdam (see as much as you can on the Plus ticket for Sanssouci), Gemaldegallerie, Bode museum, Pergamon museum, Decorative Arts Museum, Instrument Museum, Neues Museum.

Mike B.

Yelp
continuing on with my reviews of Berlin, we come to the German History Museum. this is a very well laid-out and detailed museum, whose exhibits focus on German social, political, cultural, and military history. there's 2000+ years' worth of artifacts on display: everything from the Germanic tribes up to the modern day. you start at the beginning and proceed linearly through history. well, mostly - there are some points along the way where it could be a bit more clear so far as directions go, so you may find yourself weaving between time periods. the first floor covers everything up to World War I, the second floor covers Weimar Germany, Nazi Germany, WW2, the Cold War, and post-reunification. there are plenty of cool things to photograph. lots of weaponry in particular - Germany's past is filled with battles between religions, tribes, nations, and whatnot. my only minor quibble is that it's a bit of an old-school museum setup: I think there were some interactive exhibits, but overall, mostly it was a lot of reading. granted, I'm a speed reader, so I didn't have a problem. very inexpensive for admission - I think it was 3 Euro with the pass. I accidentally got on a handicapped elevator, providing some laughs to other confused sightseers. for the price and amount of stuff on display, definitely worth checking out.

Jaimielee R.

Yelp
Berlin: A history Founded in the 13th century, Berlin is rich in history. Not without its problems, this city has experienced many historical movements that have not only formed Berlin but the rest of the world. Berlin grew from the nearby cities of Berlin and Cölln, which expanded rapidly throughout the Middle Ages. In 1709 King Friedrich I declared the unification of the five towns of Berlin, Cölln, Friedrichswerder, Dorotheenstadt, and Friedrichstadt to form the capital and royal residence of Berlin. From 1740, Berlin developed into a centre of the Enlightenment, establishing itself at the forefront of European culture, a reputation it still enjoys today. Under the rule of Friedrich the Great, some of Berlin's most well-known monuments were constructed. These include St Hedwig's Cathedral, Prinz-Heinrich-Palais (now Humboldt University) and The Opera Palace. In 1861, the city expanded further with the incorporation of the suburbs Wedding, Gesundbrunnen, Moabit, Chalottenburg, Schöneberg and Rixdorf. In 1871 Berlin was named as capital of the German Reich, becoming the empire's political, economic, and scientific hub. The 20th century saw the outbreak of the First World War, and Germany's defeat meant the city found it increasingly difficult to feed its people, leading to massive strikes. Kaiser Wilhelm II was eventually ousted, leading to the founding of the Weimar Republic in 1918. This period promised to bring new freedoms and liberties, but was plagued by political and economic instability. Then, during the 'Golden Twenties', Berliners responded in true Berlin style, with cabaret and jazz dominating entertainment in the city. Pleasure Pits were dotted all over, turning the metropolis of Berlin into a 'sextropolis'. Unfortunately, this era of uncertainty paved the way for Hitler and the Nazi Party. The German people had had enough of poverty and squalor and craved stability. Hitler rose through the ranks of politics at an incredible pace. Appointed Chancellor in 1933, he fused the offices of President and Chancellor, gaining absolute power and becoming Führer of the Third Reich. Home to the Headquarters of the Nazi Party, Berlin was the focal point of Allied attacks on Germany, which resulted in much of the city being destroyed. The wide-spread reconstruction shaped the landscape of the city we recognise today. After the War, Berlin, along with the rest of Germany, was divided into four occupation zones. These were controlled by the USSR, Britain, the USA and France. Tensions quickly emerged between the Western Allies and the Soviets regarding the management of the German economy. These disagreements came to a head in June 1948, when the Allies introduced a new currency - the Deutschmark. Viewing this as a breach of the Potsdam Agreement, which stipulated that Germany be treated as one economic zone, the Soviets responded by adopting the Ostmark. Separation between the two states became official in 1949. The Western Zones formed the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) with Bonn as its capital, and the East became the German Democratic Republic (GDR), whose capital was East Berlin. The West flourished under the leadership of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, with the progressive economic policies of Ludwig Erhard paving the way for the Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle) of the 1950s and 60s. Meanwhile, the East was crippled by oppressive Communist rule. The economy was stagnant and the people lived under constant surveillance by the Ministry for State Security (Staatsicherheitspolizei or Stasi). The low quality of life drove many East Berliners to seek refuge in the West. To halt the exodus, the East erected the infamous Berlin Wall. A period of left-wing rebellion and protest erupted in 1968, led mainly by university students and the Rote Armee Faktion (Red Army Faction). Although things had settled down by 1970, some lasting changes were achieved: universities were modernised, the student body was politicised and the Green Party was founded. By the 1980s, change was in the air, but what came next surprised the world. The Wende (the fall of communism) was gradual, eventually climaxing in the collapse of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. Berlin became a separate city-state; however, economic reform took place in the mid-1990s which led to the signing of the Unification Treaty. In 1991, it was decided that Berlin would once again become the capital and home to the German government. A stroll in Berlin feels like a walk through history. Its tumultuous past and varied cultural tapestry has made Berlin the buzzing capital you are visiting today.

Siam E.

Yelp
Half of the museum was closed for what I am assuming is renovation, yet we were still charged full admission. The exhibit that we did see about Nazi-occupied Europe and the gulag were both interesting and informative.

Young K.

Yelp
This mueseum is perhaps the best History Museum in all of Europe. It is near the fashionable Mitte district of Berlin. It is very chronological and starts all the way from the Homo Erectuses to events of today. But be warn that you may need to spend at least 4 hours to tour the entire museum it is vast and has too many departments to be viewed within in an hour.

Chi U.

Yelp
My favorite museum....but you need at least 4 hrs! A crash course in European/German history. Very interactive, good layout and great variety of artifacts.

Allison F.

Yelp
This is an amazing museum. I'm not a history buff and I think it takes a whole day to see everything. There are incredible exhibits from every era of German history. The building is much larger than it appears from the outside. I can't imagine a better way to understand the events that led up to WWII than the items of propaganda and everyday life displayed in chronological order.

Qype User (neuki…)

Yelp
Despite numerous trips to Berlin, we hadn't yet been to DHM - but we're glad that we finally made it. I enjoyed the flow of the lay-out that literally takes you through the timeline of German history. Descriptive labels are well designed, pretty thorough and interesting, and there are a few cool interactive spots along the way. The timeline comprises military, religious and social aspects of life, including some nice points throughout about the development from agricultural villages to industrial cities.

Do V.

Yelp
The museum caffe was super good. Food was tasty. Staff were so nice and helpful. We enjoyed the museum and caffe.

Betsy W.

Yelp
I was so excited about visiting Berlin. And I thought visiting the History museum would be a wonderful way to give me perspective of the city and Germany. But I found the museum to be underwhelming and somewhat boring to walk through. The displays did not evoke a sense of interest which is sad to say because much of the artifacts are quite informative. It is all about presentation...and this just did not draw my interest in at all.

Qype User (RevImm…)

Yelp
This is one of the most interesting museums I have ever been to. It covers the whole panorama of German history from pre-history to the present. The exhibits also demonstrate how German history is intertwined with that of Europe as a whole. While there are many exhibits on military history, it presents the military aspects of German history in context wirh other events of the time and, indeed, military history is an integral part of German history. It took me 3 visits to see the entire museum. I would highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in German and European history.