Spandau is worth a visit if only to go to its brewery. It is on the same railway line out of Berlin that you would use to get to Berlin Airport so it is easy to find.

Spandau became a city in 1213 but there is evidence of much earlier settlement. In 1920 the city of Spandau lost its status as an independent city, officially becoming Berlin's 8th Administrative District 'Die Spandauer'.

The people of Spandau, are known for their outspoken protests against their city's assimiliation into Berlin. After the Second World War Spandau became part of West Berlin's British Sector.

It is most famous outside German for housing the Nazi Rudolf Hess in Spandau military Prison after the Nuremberg War Crime Trials in 1946. Spandau is now an industrial centre, but remnants of the city's historic military past are still visible. The city relied on the river and canal that encircles it for its defence for many years. The network of medieval streets can still be followed. You can find attractive half timbered houses down some of the side streets and in the Northern Section you can see sections of the old town wall.

One of Berlin's hidden gems is the Spandau Brewery. Oh what a joy this place is. You will find it in the north of the city along the water's edge. The seating area is around the big brass vats where the beer is made. They make different specials each month. The beer was like nectar. You can also have desert beer. I tried Banana beer. If you can imagine an alcoholic banana milkshake you will have an idea of just how goods that was. The food. I forgot to mention the food. In the next room there is a carvery full of traditional German country food. I was in heaven. Fantastic food and amazing beer.

Berlin Schloss Charlottenburg

The Palace of Charlottenburg was built by King Friedrich II of Prussia for his wife Charlotte. They filled it with their grand art collection. It is the largest palace in Berlin. The original, central part was constructed between 1695 and 1699 as a summer palace. Severely damaged by allied bombing in 1943, the palace was meticulously reconstructed after the war. There is an admission charge and you must leave all of your bags with an attendant. You are not allowed to take photographs inside but you can take as many as you want of the beautiful park that surrounds the castle. The best bus is the X9, 109, 145, 210

Berlin's History - World War II Hitler's Bunker

If you are looking for Hitler's bunker you are going to be in for a disappointment. All that remains of the bunker is the location of the entrance. It is in a car park behind a block of apartments. Between three small trees there is a steel door that leads down to the remains of the complex. There are no plaques to mark the spot and no signs records the events that occurred in 1945.

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