DEUTSCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM

This museum of German history is housed in a building that is itself highly historic: the Zeughaus (Arsenal), initiated by Friedrich II in 1695, is the oldest building in Unter den Linden and one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Germany. Spread over 10,000 m² and two floors, the exhibition traces German history since the ^9th century through political, social and economic themes. The principle of the exhibition is to place German history in a European and global perspective - visitors will also enjoy discovering the museum's rich collection of books, armor and more.

On the second floor, the visit begins with a video projected on the wall: it's a map of Europe where we can follow, century after century, the changing borders of the various political entities. The most beautiful piece in this part of the exhibition is the famous painting of Charlemagne by Albrecht Dürer. Then you'll discover the time of the Reformation, with the first printing works, pamphlets and caricatures. Then plunge into the traumatic period of the Thirty Years' War and the Age of Enlightenment. Understand how the Napoleonic Wars gave rise to German national sentiment, while admiring the splendid, well-preserved dresses of the period. Thanks to numerous paintings and early photos, you can relive the greatest moments of Bismarck's unification of Germany, and marvel at the megalomaniac dreams of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

The rest of the exhibition on the first floor is devoted to the ^20th century, starting with the Weimar Republic and the bitter struggle between the parties, represented by political posters of the time. Then comes January 1933 and the advent of Nazi terror. The part of the exhibition devoted to the dictatorship and the Second World War is most gruesome, ending in the ruins of the post-war period and the partition of Germany. Thanks to the first televisions and Volkswagen cars, you'll witness the economic miracle of the 1950s and the social movements of 1968. And finally, at the end of the road, reunification, as the (provisional) end of a heavy, rich and fascinating history. Please allow plenty of time for this visit.

Also worth seeing: the wing designed by I. M. Pei, architect of the Louvre Pyramid, which houses temporary exhibitions.