View of Torstraße with the dome of Berlin Cathedral visible in the background. Two people with suitcases and luggage are walking across the street.

Photo: Wal, Pixabay

Incredible facts about Berlin that few people know

Berlin is a city steeped in history, culture, and contrasts. But away from the well-known sights such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, there are many exciting details that hardly anyone knows about. In this article, we present some of these fascinating facts—perfect for experiencing the capital from a new perspective.

This article is a collaboration with Mick Staudinger and the agency Teamevent Planer, which organizes rallies and team events in Berlin and therefore knows the city inside out.

Underground ghost stations
The Devil's Mountain
The shortest subway network
The bear as a mascot
Relocation of the Victory Column

1. Underground ghost stations

Potsdamer Platz S-Bahn station gets the green light — Underground ghost stations

During the time of the Berlin Wall, there were numerous “ghost stations.” Trains from West Berlin traveled through the East but did not stop there. The stations were dark, heavily guarded, and seemed like something from another world. They were only reopened after 1989 and now shine in new splendor.

2. Teufelsberg – a mountain of rubble

View of the Teufelsberg listening station in Berlin at sunset. — Teufelsberg

Teufelsberg in western Berlin is not a natural hill, but consists of over 25 million cubic meters of rubble from World War II. It is crowned by a former US listening station, which is now a lost place and popular destination for day trips. The hill is taller than the Berlin TV tower without its antenna – and offers one of the best views of the city.

3. The shortest subway system in the world (formerly)

View of the Museumsinsel subway station. A yellow train leaves the station. The blue starry sky of the subway station glows. — U5 Museum island

A few years after the war, a subway line was opened in West Berlin that consisted of only one station: the U55 line between the main train station and the Brandenburg Gate. It was considered the shortest subway line in the world. It has since been integrated into the U5—a curious piece of city history.

4. A bear as a heraldic animal

Flag with the Berlin bear flying on a flagpole against a blue sky. — Berliner Bär

Berlin's heraldic animal is the bear – and in fact, a real brown bear once roamed the city. Until 2015, there were bears living in the Bärenzwinger (bear pit) in Köllnischer Park, which were kept as a symbol of Berlin. Today, the site is a small cultural attraction.

5. The Victory Column has been relocated

The golden Victory Column in Berlin against a blue sky. — Victory Column

Hardly anyone knows that the Victory Column originally stood in front of the Reichstag. It was not until 1938 that the National Socialists moved it to its current location in the Großer Tiergarten. Without this move, Berlin's skyline would look very different today.

Conclusion – Berlin is full of secrets

There are many surprising stories behind Berlin's famous landmarks. We hope you enjoy exploring the city and its sights.

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