Alexanderplatz, often referred to as "Alex" by Berliners, is a large public square and transport hub in the central Mitte district of Berlin. The square's name honours the Russian Tsar Alexander I, who visited the city in 1805. Originally, the square was part of the cattle market outside the city’s fortifications. In 1805, it was named after the Russian Tsar Alexander I, who visited Berlin. However, it only began to develop into an important commercial area in the second half of the 19th century. The square gained substantial prestige when the Berlin City Council moved into the Red Town Hall, built in 1861. Alexanderplatz started to transform dramatically after 1882, when the Berlin City Railway established a major station there. It became even more significant with the construction of the metropolitan railway, today's U-Bahn, in 1913. In the early 20th century, Alexanderplatz was one of the busiest squares in Berlin, boasting numerous shops, department stores, restaurants, and even a cinema. The square's prominence was further heightened with the construction of the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) in 1969. Standing at 368 meters, it is the tallest structure in Germany and the third-tallest in the EU. Its sphere contains a visitor platform and a revolving restaurant, offering panoramic views of Berlin. The square underwent a massive transformation during the GDR era, being redesigned as a pedestrian zone with numerous commercial buildings in the modernist style. However, the historical structures, such as the Berolinahaus and the Alexanderhaus from the 1930s, were preserved. Today, Alexanderplatz is a buzzing commercial hub, home to many shops, restaurants, and a major train station. The square retains its historical character with the Red Town Hall and the Neptune Fountain, while also embodying the modern spirit of Berlin with the World Time Clock and the Fernsehturm. Despite its transformation over the years, Alexanderplatz has always been a place of historical events and public gatherings. It was here that the largest anti-government demonstrations took place in the GDR era, leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Today, it remains a place for various public events and demonstrations. Inside the buildings that line the square, you'll find a mix of modern and historical interiors. The Alexanderhaus and Berolinahaus, designed by Peter Behrens, feature early modernist architecture, while the interiors of the newer buildings, like the Alexa Shopping Centre, embody a sleek, contemporary design. Alexanderplatz, with its mix of history and modernity, old and new, is truly a microcosm of Berlin itself.