The Potsdamer Platz in the Berlin area "Tiergarten" has quite a turbulent history. Now, it is one of the most interesting places in the reunified Berlin and a major tourist attraction.
The history of the Potsdamer Platz is influenced by its location in the former east of Berlin near the border to West Berlin to a large extent.
At the beginning, the square located near the Potsdam Gate (Potsdamer Tor or Leipziger Tor) outside the city walls was quite an important junction and served as connecting road between Potsdam and Berlin.
In the years 1823 and 1824, the Potsdamer Tor was extended by the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel in classic style, which influenced the character of the square for quite a long time.
Due to the opening of a train station in 1838 as well as of an underground station in 1902, the Potsdamer Platz became one of Berlin's most important centers for traffic as well as markets. Many hotels and restaurants were opened there. In addition, it became quite a popular area for entertainment.
