Rise And Fall Of Nazism

Overview

This three-hour English walk, listed on GuruWalk, asks a direct question: how does a civilized country fall into fanaticism? It starts at the Brandenburg Gate, the scene of Nazi parades and later a witness to defeat in the battle of Berlin, then moves through the governmental district around the Reichstag, where the Nazis took control of parliament. The route continues to the Holocaust Memorial, Hitler's bunker, and the street where the Nazi chancelleries spread fear, taking in Goebbels' Ministry of Propaganda, the New Chancellery built by Albert Speer, and Göring's Air Ministry. It finishes at the Berlin Wall in front of the Topography of Terror, a documentation centre on Nazism the GuruWalk listing urges visitors not to miss.

Along the way the walk also stops at memorials to the victims, including those for the Sinti and Roma, and it addresses lesser-known affected groups and resistance to the regime. The guide's stated approach, called 'Side to Side', is historical rigour with plain language, avoiding sensationalist clichés. Every walk on this site is free, pay what you want: reserving a spot on GuruWalk costs nothing, and guests tip the guide what the walk was worth at the end.

The tour suits anyone who wants the Nazi era explained through its actual sites and its memorials rather than through headlines. It runs in English only, lasts three hours, and meets in Mitte at the Brandenburg Gate. A digital guide, 'Side to Side: Heart of Berlin', is included as a gift for exploring Berlin further on your own.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Brandenburg GateThe guide waits in front of the Brandenburger Tor subway station, between Starbucks and the Adlon Hotel on the pedestrian avenue, marked by a black and white umbrella.
2. Brandenburg GateThe starting point and Berlin's icon, scene of Nazi parades and testimony to their defeat after the battle of Berlin.
3. Reichstag and governmental districtThe parliament building where the Nazis conquered power, with the surrounding governmental district.
4. Sinti MemorialAn intimate memorial in the Tiergarten dedicated to the murdered Sinti and Roma.
5. Holocaust Memorial and Hitler's bunkerThe memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe, then the site of Hitler's bunker, still the object of conspiracies today.
6. The street of terrorGoebbels' Ministry of Propaganda, the New Chancellery by Albert Speer, and Göring's Air Ministry, where the Nazi chancelleries imposed fear and submission.
7. End at the Berlin WallThe walk finishes in front of the Topography of Terror, a documentation centre and museum on Nazism, at the Berlin Wall.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the GuruWalk listing are worth knowing before you reserve a spot on GuruWalk.

• Meeting point. The meeting point is Unter den Linden 77, in front of the Brandenburger Tor subway station, between Starbucks and the Adlon Hotel on the pedestrian avenue. The guide carries a black and white umbrella.
• Language and length. The walk runs in English only and lasts three hours. The route has 11 stops in total, and the GuruWalk listing shows the first three.
• Pace and fitness. This is a walking tour through central Berlin, so comfortable shoes matter. Three hours on your feet adds up. Wear whatever suits a walk of this length.
• What is included. The tour includes the digital guide 'Side to Side: Heart of Berlin', prepared by the guide, with suggestions for restaurants, breweries and alternative excursions. It is a gift for continuing to explore Berlin on your own afterwards.
• Paying the guide. Booking is free and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. That is the pay-what-you-want model stated on GuruWalk. Reserve a free spot and decide at the finish.
• After the walk. The walk ends at the Berlin Wall in front of the Topography of Terror, a documentation centre and museum on Nazism. The GuruWalk listing describes it as unmissable, so leaving time to visit afterwards is a good idea.

Common issues. The GuruWalk listing does not state a group size, a schedule, or an accessibility policy, so travellers with mobility concerns should ask the guide through GuruWalk before booking. No pickup is offered; everyone meets at the Brandenburg Gate. The route has 11 stops, which may feel long for some. The GuruWalk listing shows only the first three stops, so most of the route is not published in advance.

Common Questions Before You Reserve