Post by Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet

Understanding how War has Shaped the City of Berlin – Year 10 QE Historians & German Linguists, with their teachers had an unforgettable opportunity to explore Berlin’s unique role in 20th-century history — while experiencing German language and culture first-hand. Their 4-day trip blended powerful historical exploration with moments to soak up the atmosphere of a city that has truly learned to survive and thrive after its traumatic past. Arrival day kicked off with a walking tour, ending at the Reichstag with stunning night views of the Brandenburg Gate. On Day 2 students and staff did a deep dive into history, visiting the Jewish Museum, Topography of Terror, and the German Resistance Museum — a powerful insight into the impact of Nazi Germany and the responses across society. Day 3 was a whistle stop tour in Cold War history taking in the iconic landmarks like the Berlin Wall and the DDR Museum. On the final day, the group took a sunny walk along the East Side Gallery which is the most famous section of the Berlin wall that separated east and west Germany. Now it’s one of the world's longest outdoor art galleries. To wrap up the day they enjoyed a river cruise along the Spree, taking in Berlin’s famous sights. As John Haswell History and Politics Teacher who organised the trip said: “Given our Year 10 historians have covered both Nazi Germany and the Cold War, there really isn't a better place to visit than Berlin. The entire landscape of the city is marked by its traumatic past. I hope visiting such a city will give the students a flavour for further travel in Germany but also help them to see how the ruptures of the 20th century continue to shape this dynamic city. “   An enriching, thought-provoking experience our students won’t forget. #History #Politics #GermanLanguage #QEFlourish