Alex is the nickname of Alexanderplatz, which belongs to the most famous squares in Berlin, the capital of Germany. Said to be in the central city area, it had historical background and functioned as a border between East Berlin and West Berlin during the times of the Cold War. This blog post will look at the fact at whether Alexanderplatz was actually in the east Berlin part of the city.
Background
After World War II, Germany was divided into two separate countries: , The two countries being East Germany or the German Democratic Republic and West Germany also referred to as the Federal Republic of Germany. Much like the rest of Germany, the capital also known as Berlin was split between east and west Berlin. In 1961 the Berlin Wall was built splitting Alexanderplatz and the rest of the city even farther.
Alexanderplatz as the symbol of East Germany in the period of the Cold War
Alexanderplatz was in east Berlin, thus it was an important region when we talk of the socialist camp. It also met the political purpose of symbolizing the power of the East German government, and was used for propaganda and demonstrations purposes. The square has been profoundly transformed over the internet era under the ruling communist party; architectural changes were obvious.
Monuments and Landmarks
The East Germany area had various dominant monuments and landmarks located in Alexanderplatz. Among such landmarks one may list the “Fernsehturm” – a television tower still present in modern architecture. The Fernsehturm was constructed the GDR in order to demonstrate the advancement in technology of the socialist government.
Other remarkable architecture was a “Weltzeituhr,” which was a clock, that displayed the time of different world cities. This clock stood for the Eastern Germany internationalization and the capability of the planned economy to cooperate with related countries.
Cultural and Economic Center
Apart from the political relevance, Alexanderplatz remained the cultural and business center of East Berlin. It was equipped with numerous department stores: the famous “Kaufhof” and “Centrum Warenhaus” which also allowed East Berlin people to buy everything they needed. These stores were intended to portray the existence of a well to do socialist and economically dynamic nation.
Alexanderplatz was also surrounded by several other theatres, cinemas and establishments of culture. Several blocks down the road was what was once known as the famous “Berliner Ensemble” theater which was founded for Bertolt Brecht. He wished these cultural establishments would entertain the people and at the same time imbue the people with an understanding of socialism.
Post-Reunification Changes
The above mentioned result suggests that after the demising of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the consequent German reunification in 1990, Alexanderplatz has rapidly transformed. This place went through significant remodeling in order to reach the impression, it had not been very maintained during the years of division.
Still today Alexanderplatz is an important traffic hub in Berlin although it seems rather quiet in the nights. This is a transport center, where several subway, tram and bus lines converge. The square is also has been serviced with shopping mall, restaurants, and hotels to accommodate the population as well as tourist doing their business around the square.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it was clear that Alexanderplatz was in East Berlin during the time of division of Berlin. It could be relied on as a symbol of the government’s authority being a center for political, cultural, and economic life. Today Alexanderplatz is a remarkable part of the capital’s history and an active public space for real people.