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Free tour

Beyond Berlin’s History - making sense of the present learning from the past

Duration: 3h and 45min
Languages: English
Guru: Mary
Quality Verified Registered on April 24, 2023

Hi, I’m Mary and I hope you can have a fantastic time at one of my tours! I grew up in Warsaw where my Jewish/Polish roots and family’s experience pointed me towards a keen interest in European history. In my work I combine my interest in social sciences with experience as a journalist fixer and grassroot organiser to deliver understandable explanation of even most complex processes and phenomena that shaped Germany and Europe as it is today. I have lived in Berlin for 3 years now, which have been intense and extremely educational. I gained tour guiding experience working for the commercial market leader. Now I offer my independent tours - I’m particularly fond of those visitors who would like to reflect for a minute longer and go beyond the standard tourist glimpse-catching. Challenge your thinking, deepen your historical knowledge, feel the great vibes of the heart of Europe - just come along!

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Welcome to Berlin! Join me for a captivating tour of Berlin's rich and complex history. Starting at Alexanderplatz, we'll explore the city's diverse landmarks and delve into its fascinating past.

My tour will take us to iconic sites such as the Marx and Engels Memorial, Museums Island, the Nazi book burning site, Gendarmenmarkt, Checkpoint Charlie, the remains of the Berlin Wall, Hitler's bunker, the Jewish Memorial, the Reichstag, and the Brandenburg Gate.

What sets my tour apart is my unique perspective on history. My focus is not just on the places themselves, but on the ideas they reflect. As a Jewish woman of Polish heritage, I approach Berlin's past with a deep sense of personal connection and empathy. I tell the stories of my own family, weaving together personal narratives with broader historical themes.

Rather than simply presenting historical facts and events, I approach the subject of ideologies like fascism from a sociological perspective, highlighting their current relevance.

We'll explore the ways in which Berlin's history has shaped its character and identity, and how it continues to impact the city today. We'll examine the parallels between the past and present and reflect on the lessons we can learn from history.

So come along with me on this unforgettable journey through the heart of Berlin. Let's gain a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped it into the vibrant and dynamic metropolis it is today.

Attention! 
Please be aware that nobody can be accepted on this tour from 10 minutes after the tour’s start. Thank you for your cooperation.

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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 8, 10178 Berlin,...
    Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 8, 10178 Berlin, Germany
    View on map

    We meet on Alexanderplatz, in the precise center of the city. I’ll be waiting for you with a red umbrella in front of the Marienkirche church

  • 1
    Outside visit
    Marienkirche
  • 2
    Outside visit
    Marx-Engels-Forum
  • 3
    Outside visit
    Museum Island
  • 4
    Outside visit
    Humboldt Forum

    Reconstruction of the original Imperial Palace.

  • 5
    Outside visit
    Unter den Linden
  • 6
    Outside visit
    Humboldt-Universität in Berlin
  • 7
    Outside visit
    Bebelplatz, book burning site
  • 8
    Outside visit
    Gendarmenmarkt

    (May not be accessible due to the ongoing renovation)

  • 9
    Outside visit
    Checkpoint Charlie

    15-minute break is scheduled on arrival here.

  • 10
    Outside visit
    Bundesministerium of Finance

    Original building of the former Nazi Aviation Ministry.

  • 11
    Outside visit
    Berlin Wall Remains
  • 12
    Outside visit
    Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
  • 13
    Outside visit
    Hitler’s Bunker
  • 14
    Outside visit
    Reichstag/Bundestag (Berlin)
  • 15
    Outside visit
    Brandenburg Gate

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

357 ratings
4.9
By category
Professionalism
4.89
Fun
4.67
Expression
4.9
Quality
4.88
Route
4.92
Generic
5 stars
324
4 stars
25
3 stars
7
2 stars
1
1 star
0
Yvette 08 May 2024
Zwolle

Verified booking
Travelled alone - May 2024
Mary is very well informed and provides a lot of nuanced background information, is well read, critical and critically examines history from different perspectives. She makes you think about the history, untold stories and facts. Very good!
Bavani 08 May 2024
Sydney

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - May 2024
Mary was very detailed about the history of Germany, and her tour was very informative.
Ursa 06 May 2024

Verified booking
Travelled alone - May 2024
Mary was great, so much knowledge and even tho this part of the history is not fun, she made this tour very interesting. Other people in the group were cool too, we made a great team.☺️ If you are interested in history, if you wonder how is possible that something like holocaust could even happened, this is the tour for you. Highly recommended.
Ana Carolina 05 May 2024

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - May 2024
Despite being a longer tour, it didn't feel like it. I learned so much about the history of Berlin and of its people. We see so many different and interesting places. We also had an amazing exchange of ideias with Mary, who took the time to listen and answer any of our questions. Her personal approach of the tour, gave an interesting and different view of the history of the 20th century Europe. It was definitely worth every minute of it.
Desiree 03 May 2024
Rome

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - May 2024
Mary is an excellent guide. Her passion is palpable. I would recommend her to anyone who wants to explore Berlin in an all-around way.
Show 357 reviews

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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