[[Image:Alexanderplatz-Berlin-2006.jpg|thumb|300px|Alexanderplatz from the Fernsehturm]]

'''{{Audio|Alexanderplatz.ogg|Alexanderplatz}}''' is a large open square and public transport hub in [[Berlin]] city centre, near the river [[Spree]] and the [[Berliner Dom]], at {{coor at dms|52|31|19|N|13|24|47|E|region:DE_type:landmark}}. Berliners often call it simply ''Alex''.

Originally a cattle market, it was named in honour of a visit of the [[Russia]]n Emperor [[Alexander I of Russia|Alexander I]] to Berlin on [[25 October]] [[1805]]. It gained a prominent role in the late 19th century with the construction of the station of the same name and a nearby public market, becoming a major commercial centre. Its heyday was in the 1920s, when together with [[Potsdamer Platz]] it was at the heart of Berlin's [[Nightlife (activity)|nightlife]], inspiring the [[1929]] [[novel]] ''[[Berlin Alexanderplatz]]'' (see [[1920s Berlin]]) and the two [[film|films]] based thereon, Piel Jutzi's 1931 film and [[Rainer Werner Fassbinder]]'s 15 1/2 hour [[Berlin Alexanderplatz (television)|second adaptation]], released in 1980.

The Alexanderplatz has been subject to redevelopment several times in its history, most recently during the 1960s, when it was enlarged as part of the [[German Democratic Republic]]'s redevelopment of the city centre. It is surrounded by several notable structures including the [[Fernsehturm]] (TV Tower), the second tallest structure in [[Europe]]. Because of its high profile, many newcomers to Berlin mistake the [[nickname]] ''Alex'' and apply it to the [[Fernsehturm Berlin|Fernsehturm]] instead. The ''Alex'' also accommodates the [[Park Inn Berlin]] and the World Time Clock, a continually rotating installation that shows the time throughout the globe, the 1932 Alexanderhaus and Berolinahaus by [[Peter Behrens]], and [[Hermann Henselmann]]'s Haus des Lehrers.

Following [[German reunification]] the Alexanderplatz has undergone a gradual process of change with many of the surrounding buildings being renovated. Despite the construction of a [[tram]] line it has retained its socialist character, including the much-[[graffiti]]ed ''Fountain of Friendship between Peoples'' (''[[Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft]]''). In 1993 plans for a major redevelopment including the construction of several skyscrapers were published, but due to a lack of demand it is unlikely these will be constructed. However, beginning with the reconstruction of the department store [[Kaufhof]] in 2004, and the biggest underground railway station of Berlin, some buildings will be redesigned and new structures built on the square's south-eastern side. The [[Alexa]] shopping mall, with approximately 180 stores opened in Alexanderplatz during 2007 and a large Saturn electronic store is currently being built in Alexanderplatz due to open in 2008.

Many historic buildings are located in the area around Alexanderplatz. The traditional seat of city government, the [[Rotes Rathaus]], or ''Red City Hall'', is located nearby, as is the former East German parliament building, the [[Palast der Republik]], demolition of which began in February 2006 and is expected to be completed sometime in 2008.

Alexanderplatz is also the name of the [[Alexanderplatz (S-Bahn)|S-Bahn]] and [[Alexanderplatz (Berlin U-Bahn)|U-Bahn]] stations there.

==Image Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Berlin_-_Weltzeituhr_and_Fernsehturm.jpg|The ''Weltzeituhr'' With the [[Fernsehturm Berlin|Fernsehturm]] visible in the background
Image:Bahnhof Berlin-Alexanderplatz.jpg|Bahnhof Alexanderplatz
Image:Berlin Alexanderplatz - Alexanderhaus 1.jpg|Alexanderhaus
Image:Project-blinkenlights-aerial-view.jpg|Project Blinkenlights
</gallery>
{{Commons|Alexanderplatz}}

[[Category:Squares in Berlin]]

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