What is the Capital of Germany?

The capital of Germany is Berlin, a city that is renowned for its exceptional range of landmarks, vibrant cultural scene, and a unique way of life that is somehow both dynamic and relaxed.

Berlin's Role as the Federal Capital

Berlin is not just the capital city but also the official seat of the Federal Government of Germany since 1990. It is home to major government buildings such as the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. The Reichstag was restored and renovated for the Bundesrat to transfer from Bonn, the previous capital city. The Hambach Forest was also chosen as a venue for important European meetings, symbolizing the capital in a different, more natural setting.

Other Capital Cities in Germany

Germany is unique in that it has 14 to 15 capitals, depending on how one defines them. Berlin is the Federal capital, while the remaining cities serve as the capitals of the 13 states, which do not include city states like Bremen and Hamburg. The list of these state capitals is as follows:

Schleswig-Holstein: Kiel Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Schwerin Niedersachsen: Hannover Brandenburg: Potsdam Sachsen-Anhalt: Magdeburg Nordrhein-Westfalen: Düsseldorf Thüringen: Erfurt Sachsen: Dresden Hessen: Wiesbaden Rheinland-Pfalz: Mainz Saarland: Saarbrücken Baden-Württemberg: Stuttgart Bayern: München

Berlin vs Bonn: The Two Capitals

Bonn serves as a "secondary seat" of the government and the home of some federal ministries. For example, the Ministry of Defense is still headquartered in Bonn, with only a small subsection in Berlin. Bonn is often referred to as the "Federal City" and holds a special status in the country. It was the temporary capital of Germany from 1949 until 1990, when Berlin officially took over as the capital after the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of East and West Germany.

The historical significance of Berlin as the capital city of Germany is deeply rooted in its past. Many other cities have also served as the capital at different points in history, such as Aachen, which was the capital of the Frankonian Empire, and Frankfurt am Main, which has also held the title of capital in the past.