Alexanderplatz is a large open square and public transport hub in central Berlin, near the Spree river and the Berliner Berliners often call it simply Alex. Originally a cattle market, it was named in honour of a visit of the Russian Emperor Alexander 1to Berlin on 25 October 1805. The original Alexanderplatz (affectionately known as “Alex” by Berliners) was completely flattened during the War. Its present day appearance is a prime example of East German town planning: a huge, windswept pedestrian area surrounded by featureless 1960s high-rises.

The World Clock in Alexanderplatz, Berlin. DB Station at Alexanderplatz, Berlin. This view of the station was taken close to the world clock and shows the Staenbahn tracks which loop around to the right after passing under the tracks on the left of the photo. The station is served by the DB and the Berlin S-Bahn and one of their 481 class EMUs can be seen departing eastwards.

In 1969 two more monuments were added to the square, the Weltzeituhr (World Time Clock) by Erich John and the Fountain of International Friendship. The TV tower was build as a boasting socialist landmark. The government wanted something that provides locals a breathtaking view over their city. Now, with that in mind: What do you see or in which direction do you look when you leave the escalator and enter the restaurant or visitor’s platform?
The Park Inn Alexanderplatz is a high- rise hotel set on Berlin’s central square of Alexanderplatz, 50 meters from the iconic TV Tower and 150 meters from the Reichstag parliament building. The popular area of Friedrichstrasse and the historically significant Brandenburg Gate are within three kilometres of the Berlin hotel. Berlin Tegel Airport is approximately 20 kilometres away from the Park Inn Alexanderplatz. Most of the buildings on the square were destroyed by bombing during the second world war. As the center of East-Berlin, the square was used as a showcase of socialist architecture. This resulted in some plain bulky buildings and a huge television tower.