The ruins of the Memorial Church, which was destroyed during the Second World War, are a symbol of how West Berlin rose up from the rubble of post-war Germany. Instead of pulling the ruins down, they were left as a stark reminder of the senseless destruction of war.

Memorial to peace and reconciliation
In 1890 Kaiser Wilhelm II ordered the construction of the Memorial Church in honour of his grandfather Kaiser Wilhelm I. It was destroyed in a Second World War bombing raid, and since then has stood as a tribute to peace and reconciliation. Instead of pulling the church ruins down, the bombed out torso of the tower was integrated into the new building that was built around it. Known as the "hollow tooth", it is the symbol of Berlin's determination to rebuild after the war.

Berlin is also a city of museums, housing cultural treasures from all over the world, including the Pergamon altar, the bust of Nefertiti ("Berlin's most beautiful woman"), and works by great masters past and present. This once-divided city brings visitors face to face with history in the 175 museums that are its custodians of history, art and knowledge. A new gallery scene, which has sprung up in the Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg districts, is causing quite a stir in the international art world.

From light entertainment to classical opera: eight great symphony orchestras, including the famous Berlin Philharmonic, and three great opera houses shape the city's musical life. Berlin's desire to entertain and be entertained is a longstanding tradition bound up with the city's legendary "Roaring Twenties". Today Berlin is experiencing something of a light entertainment revival.