Unter den Linden

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View from the Fernsehturm of Unter den Linden. The Berliner Dom is on the right; across from it on the left is the Palast der Republik.

A view of Unter den Linden, showing the linden trees for which it is named

Unter den Linden (Under the Lindens – named for its linden or lime trees (also known in North America as basswood trees) which line the grassed pedestrian mall between the two carriageways) is one of Berlin's best-known streets.

A boulevard of linden trees was planted from 1647 extending from the electoral palace to the gates of the city by Friedrich Wilhelm, "The Great Elector", who wanted to ride from his castle to his hunting park the Tiergarten with more appropriately Baroque splendor. This stretch became the best known and grandest street in Berlin. The section west of the Brandenburg Gate, going through the Tiergarten Park, is called now Straße des 17. Juni, having previously been called Charlottenburger Straße. The rich history of the Prussian era is reflected in the buildings, which include

• Brandenburg Gate
• Pariser Platz
• The Hotel Adlon
• Russian Embassy (formerly the Soviet Embassy)
• Kronprinzenpalais (Crown Prince's Palace – most recently used as a museum)
• Kronprinzessinnenpalais (Crown Princesses's Palace, most recently used a café)
• Berlin State Library
• Berlin State Opera
• Monument to King Friedrich der Große of Prussia
• Humboldt University
• Neue Wache
• The Cathedral of St. Hedwig
• The Zeughaus (Arsenal)
• Alte Kommandantur (Unter den Linden no. 1)

Gallery

See also

• Karl Friedrich Schinkel
• Wilhelmstraße
• Friedrichstraße

External links