Germania

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"Welthaupstadt" Germania Capital of the Greater Germanic Reich
Model of the Great City of Germania, 1954
Aerial painting of the Volkshalle, 1961
Details
Population	5.32M
State GDP	$20.53B
GDP/C	$3858
Culture	German / Berliner

Welthauptstadt Germania or World Capital Germania, is the largest city in the Greater Germanic Reich and one of the most populous capitals across Europe, with over 5.3 million inhabitants. Known colloquially as Berlin-Germania in English, this urban center serves as the capital of Germany. It is occasionally called as the "Capital of Europe" or even the "Capital of the World."

It is situated in northeastern Germany, and is characterized by its flat terrain and numerous rivers, including the Spree and Havel Rivers, which intersect the city.

History

A dream...

Adolf Hitler envisioned a beautiful, extravagant Berlin traces back to the mid 20's. As of 1909, amidst growing international interest, proposals for redesigning Berlin's deteriorating infrastructure were being debated. One such proposal, the one of Martin Mächler, envisioned a city adorned with monuments honoring the Kaiser.

..a city...

Before the Nazi regime's vision of Germania, Berlin faced significant challenges in terms of its infrastructure, encompassing roads, public transportation, canals, railways, and its airports. To address these shortcomings, the concept of two primary axes, the Ost-West-Achse and the Nord-Süd-Achse, emerged. Although those main axes existed in the old city, they were underutilized and lacked aesthetic appeal, only serving as ordinary roads. Hitler wanted, on the other hand, to create 2 main axes where every position of power and influence would be located, showcasing the achievements of the Nazi regime. The first axis, the Charlottenburger Chaussee, was completed in 1939, while the construction of the second, the Prachtallee, commenced after World War II.

The extensive demolition, reconstruction and renovation efforts of Germania was started shortly after the conclusion of World War II and the signing of the peace treaties. The city of Germania reached completion in the late 1950s.

..and a success

Germania swiftly emerged as the symbol of Germany's prosperity and achievements.

Germania's monuments

The Volkshalle

The Volkshalle "People's Hall", also called Große Halle "Great Hall" or Ruhmeshalle "Hall of Glory", serves as a the architectural and legislative centerpiece within Germania. It is also Hitler's place of living since 1951, date of the end of its construction. The hall is well-known for its distinct 70-metre-high dome, drawing inspiration from various prominent European architectural styles and landmarks. Hitler's visits to iconic structures such as the Panthéon in 1940, the Haussmann architecture of Paris, and especially Hadrian's Pantheon in Rome in 1938 influenced the design of the Volkshalle.

The Neue Reichkanzlei in 1939, colorised

The Neue Reichskanzlei

The Neue Reichkanzlei, "New Reich Chancellery" in English, built between 1938 and 1939 under the supervision of architect Albert Speer. It served as the residence of the German Führer Adolf Hitler until 1951 when the completion of the Volkshalle prompted a transition to the new official palace. It was fully decorated by german sculptor Arno Brecker. Out of his famous works in the building, we cite his most famous one, Partei und Wehrmacht "The Party and the Army". Several iconic rooms and structures within the Reichkanzlei are noteworthy, such as the Führerbunker, which served as Hitler's personal refuge during WWII bombing raids, the Marmorgalerie inspired by the "Galerie des Glaces" in Versailles, and Hitler's Arbeitszimmer, or personal workspace, full of extravagant sculptures, paintings, and other decorative elements.

The Charlottenburger Chaussee

The Charlottenburger Chaussee, also called the Ost-West-Achse, is the longest and most prominent avenue within the city of Germania, stretching approximately 7 kilometers in length. Completed in 1938, it represents one of the earliest symbols of the new Germania. The Charlottenburger Chaussee is full of triumphant Nazi flags and is a site for frequent military parades since 1945 celebrating the German victory in WWII. Culminating at the Siegessäule, or Victory Column, the Charlottenburger Chaussee is lined with golden statues, sculptures, and arches.

Nazi Parade on the Charlottenburger Chaussee, 1946, colorised

The Prachtallee

The Prachtallee, "Avenue of Splendors", like the Charlottenburger Chaussee, is another extravagant avenue constructed by Albert Speer in an effort to spread the glory of the German Reich. Also called Nord-Süd-Achse, the Prachtallee has, with its construction, completely revised Germania's railway system, with the destruction of 2 stations (One of them became a public swimming pool) and the construction of 2 more, Nordbahnhof and Südbahnhof. It was nearly fully constructed on the old Siegesallee avenue, and stretches from the Brandenburg Gate up to the west of Germania's Airport, Flughafen Germania-Tempelhof.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Model of the Prachtallee up to the Volkshalle

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Großer Platz

Built on the site of the old Königsplatz and at the Northern end of the Prachtallee, the Großer Platz "Grand Plaza", is an large open forum with an area of around 350.000 square meters. It is located in the centre of the most prominent buildings of Germania, with the Neue Reichkanzlei and the Wehrmacht Headquarters to its south, the old Reichstag building to its East and the Volkshalle to its North.

Triumphbogen

The Triumphbogen, simply translated in English as Triumphal arch, is a 100 meters tall arch located at the south of the Prachtallee and heavely inspired by the French "Arc de Triomphe". At the Arch is carved the names of around 1.800.000 brave german WWI soldiers.