Unusual Facts about Berlin

Berlin is famous for the Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, clubs and currywurst. The more interesting stories, however, are often hidden in the details: the city’s highest point is man-made, a former airport has become a huge public space, and even Berlin’s pedestrian traffic lights have their own history.

Here are ten unusual Berlin facts that are worth knowing even if you have lived in the city for years.

Facts about the city itself

1. Berlin’s highest point is man-made

The Großer Müggelberg, at 114.7 metres, is Berlin’s highest natural elevation. The highest point in the city is higher: the Arkenberge in Pankow reach about 120.7 metres after being built up through deposits and landscaping.

The better-known Teufelsberg is artificial too. It was created after the Second World War from roughly 26 million cubic metres of rubble and rises to around 120 metres.

2. A surprisingly large part of Berlin is green

Central Berlin can feel intensely urban, but the city as a whole tells a different story. Berlin’s official land-use figures for the end of 2025 classify around 16% of the city as forest and about 10.8% as public green space.

The Tiergarten and neighbourhood parks are therefore only the most visible part of a much larger green network.

3. Almost six per cent of Berlin is water

The Spree, Havel, Dahme, canals and numerous lakes are a major part of the city. Official land-use figures for the end of 2025 classify about 5.9% of Berlin’s area as water.

If you only know the city between Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz, it is easy to underestimate how much of Berlin is shaped by rivers and lakes.

4. A former airport is now a huge public space

Tempelhofer Feld occupies the former Tempelhof airport site. After flight operations ended, the airfield opened to the public in 2010.

The full site covers roughly 355 hectares, with around 300 hectares forming the open field and former runways. Today people cycle, skate, garden, picnic and simply enjoy a sense of open space that is unusual in a major European capital.

Unusual facts about Berlin landmarks

5. The Berlin bear has medieval roots

The bear is not a modern tourism mascot. Two bears already appear on a Berlin city seal from 1280, and over the following centuries the animal became established as the city’s heraldic symbol.

That is why you still see bears in Berlin’s official coat of arms — and in countless playful versions around the city.

6. The Ampelmännchen was designed in East Germany in 1961

Berlin’s famous East German pedestrian figure, the Ampelmännchen, was designed by traffic psychologist Karl Peglau. He presented the figure to the GDR transport ministry on 13 October 1961.

It survived German reunification and has since become one of Berlin’s most recognisable pieces of everyday design.

7. Berlin has Germany’s oldest zoo

Zoo Berlin opened on 1 August 1844 and is the oldest zoo in Germany.

The zoo also describes itself as exceptionally species-rich and remains one of Berlin’s best-known institutions.

8. The East Side Gallery turned part of the Wall into an open-air gallery

The East Side Gallery is located on the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall and is described as the world’s largest open-air gallery. Its murals transformed part of a former border system into a public place of art and remembrance.

Weird and wonderful culture and food facts

9. Berlin’s currywurst origin story is famous — but not entirely uncontested

A Berlin memorial plaque credits Herta Heuwer with creating her spicy “Chillup” sauce for currywurst at her Charlottenburg snack stand on 4 September 1949.

Berlin therefore likes to claim currywurst as its own. Other cities tell competing origin stories, so it is safer to treat the exact invention story with a little caution. What is beyond doubt is currywurst’s place in Berlin snack-bar culture.

10. Berlin can turn traffic lights and city symbols into pop culture

This final fact is less about one statistic and more about the city’s personality. A medieval heraldic bear became a modern design motif, a GDR pedestrian signal became an icon, and part of the Wall became a gallery.

Berlin has an unusual ability to reuse its history rather than simply hide it. That may be the most Berlin fact of all.

Explore more of Berlin

If you are planning to live here rather than simply visit, our Living in Germany guides cover practical topics such as housing, registration and everyday life. For more culture, continue with our guides to Museum Island and Berlin’s green spaces.