We know of Times Square and Piccadilly Circus. Many forget Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. In the 1930s, it was the busiest in Europe. Then it disappeared.

Times Square, New York City and Piccadilly Circus, London – two of the most famous public hot spots in the world. Many forget Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. In the 1920s and 30s, it was the busiest in all of Europe. Then it disappeared for decades.

The center of Germany in Berlin – Potsdamer Platz

In the late 1600s, Potsdamer Platz emerged as a trading hub. It was the center of the city which, at that time, had less than 20,000 people. It was the intersection of key roads linking the regions rural areas and would continue to grow its importance over the next few centuries.

Growth of Potsdamer Platz, the new Prussian hub

it was so busy that officials put in a traffic signal. It was the first place in Europe to do so.

In 1838, it leaped to a new level. Potsdamer Banhof (railway station) was opened and was a key transportation node for then Prussia. As a result, Potsdamer Platz was able to grow its presence as a major commercial center. In 1871, Berlin was named the new Prussian capital . At this point, governmental institutions started to move into Potsdamer Platz which only increased its liveliness. By the mid 1920s,

By the 1920s, it was the busiest place in all of Europe. Then the war came.

World War 2 and the Cold War

Potsdamer Platz was leveled by bombing during World War 2. Afterwards, when the city was divided between the East and West, the Berlin wall ran right through Potsdamer leaving it empty. Even the subway line was cut off. This former hub would not resurface for decades to come even after the fall of the Wall in 1989.

The re-birth

It took 2 decades, but the former glory of this area started to come back. Between 1998 and 2004, three major developments reclaimed the area – Daimler City (1998), Sony Center (2000), Beisheim Centre (2004). In addition, the Berlin International Film Festival (one of the world’s busiest) moved to the area. Today, the area continues to grow. The almost complete Leipziger Platz contains embassies and other businesses in a commercial plaza adjacent to Potsdamer Platz.

See Great photo of Potsdamer Platz in 1930 on Flickr

Video – Potsdamer Platz – A Short History

[Sources / Literature: Berlin.de, Wikipedia]