2_2_DiscoverGermany_February15_Issue23:Scan Magazine 1
26/1/15
15:30
Page 62
Above left: Hussites Festival in Bernau’s town park. Photo: Micha Winkler. Above middle: Bernau’s historic city gate made of stone in the town wall. Photo: BeSt Bernauer Stadtmarketing GmbH
Bernau bei Berlin – where history meets modernity The city of Bernau bei Berlin combines historical with modern architectural elements and impresses with cultural diversity, historic building structures in and around the city centre, a close proximity to the metropolis of Berlin and a natural landscape, which attracts many tourists seeking extensive activity holidays.
St. Marienkirche, an impressive Gothic brick church from 1519. Get inspired by the interesting mixture of modern architecture, industrialised architecture from the GDR times and preserved historic constructions.
TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: PRESS IMAGES
Nestled in the Barnim Nature Park on the northern border of Berlin, you can escape the turmoil of the big city and embrace the relaxing atmosphere of the modern small town of Bernau bei Berlin in less than thirty minutes. Existing top-class infrastructure mixed with a green environment, close proximity to Berlin with its urban merits and top-class short-distance travel opportunities make the city a popular residential area.“The small city is the gate to the holiday region Barnimer Land, which is a popular excursion destination for many citizens of Berlin. Under the slogan ‘history
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meets modernity’ visitors can time travel from the Middle Ages up to the modern age,“ André Stahl, mayor of Bernau bei Berlin, says. Comprising 37,657 residents in the city centre and the five surrounding districts, the town centre is surrounded by a historic town wall with well-preserved towers and an original city gate made of stone. Discover medieval streets, ramparts, affectionately renovated Wilheminian-style buildings, centuries-old half-timbered houses, modern newly constructed buildings or the
Buildings from different architectural eras stand harmonically side by side and tell the story of more than 775 years of history. The Kantorhaus from the 16th century and the classical guildhall from 1805 are witnesses of their time. Don’t miss out on the exclusive Baudenkmal Bundesschule, which is a memorial of the famous Bauhaus architectural style and one of the most important buildings of modernism in Germany. Cultural diversity “Visitors appreciate the historico-cultural sights of the city and the cultural diversity. Various festivals in the city’s public space