CöllnCölln (ˈkœln) was the twin city of Old Berlin (Altberlin) from the 13th century to the 18th century. Cölln was located on the Fisher Island section of Spree Island, opposite Altberlin on the western bank of the River Spree, until the cities were merged by Frederick I of Prussia to form Berlin in 1710. Today, the former site of Cölln is the historic core of the modern Mitte locality of the Berlin-Mitte borough in central Berlin. Cölln is first mentioned in a 1237 deed, denoting a priest Symeon of Cölln's (Symeon de Colonia) Saint Peter's Church as a witness.
Mitte (locality)Mitte (ˈmɪtə) (German for "middle" or "center") is a central locality (Ortsteil) of Berlin, Germany, in the eponymous district (Bezirk) of Mitte. Until 2001, it was itself an autonomous district. Mitte proper comprises the historic center of Alt-Berlin centered on the churches of St. Nicholas and St. Mary, the Museum Island, the city hall Rotes Rathaus, the city administrative building Altes Stadthaus, the Fernsehturm, Brandenburg Gate at the end of the central boulevard Unter den Linden and other tourist attractions.
NikolaiviertelThe Nikolaiviertel (; 'Nicholas Quarter') is an old quarter of the German capital of Berlin, founded 1200. Together with nearby Cölln, they jointly make up Alt-Berlin, the reconstructed historical heart of the city. Located in the Mitte locality (in the homonymous district), it is five minutes away from Alexanderplatz. Situated on the eastern shore of the river Spree, it is bounded by the streets Rathausstraße, Spandauer Straße and Mühlendamm. The neighborhood itself is named for the eponymous deconsecrated Nikolaikirche ('St.
AlexanderplatzAlexanderplatz (alɛkˈsandɐˌplats) (Alexander Square) is a large public square and transport hub in the central Mitte district of Berlin. The square is named after the Russian Tsar Alexander I, which also denotes the larger neighbourhood stretching from Mollstraße in the north-east to Spandauer Straße and the Rotes Rathaus in the south-west. Alexanderplatz is reputedly the most visited area of Berlin, beating Friedrichstrasse and City West.