Historical photos of Berlin in 1945. The ruins of the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and the 'Stunde Null' (Hour Zero).

To understand Berlin's beauty today, one must confront its total destruction.
We see it as a pristine symbol today. In 1945, it was scarred, surrounded by rubble, standing solitary in a wasteland.

The parliament building was a shell. Russian graffiti covered its walls.

The photo Berlin 1945 shows the scale of devastation. Whole districts were flattened.
Yet, life continued. The "Trümmerfrauen" (rubble women) cleared the streets by hand, brick by brick.
As you drive down Kurfürstendamm or Unter den Linden, look at the mix of buildings. The gaps filled by modern architecture are the missing teeth knocked out in 1945.

This guide is written by Berlin enthusiasts who know that the city is too big to walk in a day. We aim to help you use the bus network smartly to unlock the best of Berlin without the stress of navigating the complex public transport zones.
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