Did you ever wonder about the World Clock on Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Germany? Due to its location that is in the middle of the city, this clock not only provides a means of telling time but also takes on a conical meaning of being an embrace of history as well as culture of Berlin. It is now time to learn more about this interesting site and its importance.
The History of Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz commonly known as “Alex” has been one of Berlin’s central square all the way from the middle Age period. It was originally called Alexandrovsk after the Russian Emperor Alexander I, during Russian occupation of the city at the beginning of the 19th century. Contemporary history also shows that Alexanderplatz has been a venue for political protests, demonstrations or regular reconstructions of post-industrial cities.
The World Clock
Looking at the heart of Alexanderplatz, one will find the World Clock a famous attraction that has been around the square starting in the 1960s. It was and made by Erich John, Günter Hammerschmidt ans many of skilled workers in Germany.
The World Clock is not simply any functional time piece. It stands as a cylindrical structure that revolves with various faces held within it each bearing a time from different cities around the globe. These are the cities where people can see the current time while these cities depict different time zones of the world. A useful addition for world map, for the travellers or simply for those who want to know what time it is in a particular country.
Features and Design
World Clock generates an impressive layout of a wide cylinder, having more than ten meters in height and its weight is about sixteen tons. However, what sets it apart from most designs out there is that it has both form and function and it is beautiful. Using this unique looking clock the current time can be caught in 148 cities encompassing all the continents, world capitals and metros included.
Every clock face has a strong reflection of cool design with special emphasis to detail to so that it can tell a correct time. The cities are labeled on the outer rim of the clock where time zones are displayed in such a way that a visitor could easily spot the desired city and time there.
Also the World Clock is provided with the lighting system that highlights some parts of the globe during various time periods. This dynamic feature just provides the observers with the visualization of different patterns of daylighting around the globe.
World Clock: Its Significance
The World Clock located on Alexanderplatz is not only the useful item that help people to estimate time but also the historical and focus object of Berlin. They symbolically depict the appearance of the city as divided and reunified and with the reference to the world.
Already walking down the Alle the GDR was located and during the cold war in particular it bordered the Berlin wall. The World Clock symbolically maintained the division of East and West, and the spirits of the two different times.
After the Wall came down and the reunification of Germany Alexanderplatz has evolved into a nucleus and shopping focal point. The World Clock remains to be one of the main sights, which became the emblem of uniting and progressive Berlin.
A few lessons on How to Visit the World Clock.
Visit the World Clock during the day and at night time in order to compare the appearance of the structure with the help of light illumination.
I want sit for some time around Alexanderplatz, because around this place there are many shops, restaurants and historical monuments.
When thinking about arrival in Alexanderplatz it is recommended to take a bus or a tram since there is not much space for cars, and parking fees are comparatively high.
Talk to people especially the Berliners or any of the foreigners visiting the site to be able to get more about the history of the World Clock and Alexanderplatz.
Conclusion
The World Clock on the Alexanderplatz is not simply just called the clock, but the symbol of the city and its history. While walking through this historical place, try to give a closer look at the ornamentation of the building and to realize in what an important role this place was in the past of the city. The World Clock is represent Berlin as united, strong and connected with the other countries.
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