Berlin, Germany

You might be surprised, but it is the rail that made the city what it is today, in fact! Before the industrial revolution changed the world, Berlin’s importance ebb and flow. Devastated by wars, forced out of the Hansa League Berlin lost most of its privileges and importance. It was only when Frederick I decided to centralize the country that Berlin started to grow again. This decision snowballed out of control in the 19th century, when Berlin became a railway hub. Suddenly, the city experienced explosive growth in all areas – its population multiplied, its economy boomed, and its industry is one of the pillars of Germany’s power even today. When the German Empire was founded, Berlin was an obvious choice for its seat of power.

The 20th century was both the most blessed and most disastrous time for Berlin. It became a home for amazing artists that transformed both the city itself and the world in wondrous ways, creating fascinating architecture and works of art. It educated and formed some of the most brilliant minds of the century, such as Albert Einstein. However, it also became a seat of power for the Nazi Party and was punished for it by being the most bombed city in the world’s history. By the end of World War 2, more than 67000 bombs turned 6,427 acres into rubble, including heritage sites such as Berlin Palace. Then, after the war ended, it was divided into Allied and Soviet occupation zones, divided in half by the infamous Iron Curtain. The physical manifestation of it was the Berlin Wall, splitting the city into East and West Berlin.