Before-and-after photos show Berlin's famous landmarks looking completely deserted in the coronavirus pandemic
BEFORE: Germany's capital city was still running normally a few weeks ago, before nationwide coronavirus restrictions were put in place. The busy Alexanderplatz U-Bahn station was packed with commuters on March 11.
AFTER: But on March 25, it was close to deserted as most people self-isolated at home.
BEFORE: Above the U-Bahn station, people were still walking through Alexanderplatz, the largest public square in Berlin.
AFTER: Fourteen days later, the same spot looks eerily empty.
BEFORE: Potsdamer Platz is Berlin's largest traffic intersection. This picture from 2019 shows a busy rush-hour scene with bikers and pedestrians.
AFTER: The crossing is now hardly recognizable as the busy traffic has disappeared completely.
BEFORE: People can be seen waiting at a bus stop on the Kurfürstendamm, Berlin's most famous shopping street, several days before non-essential shops were ordered to close.
The busy shopping street is often referred to as Berlin's version of the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Source: Visit Berlin
AFTER: Hardly anyone is waiting at that bus stop now.
BEFORE: Berlin's most famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, is usually a very popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
AFTER: The site, which has been used for many national events including political rallies and large concerts, is now completely deserted.
BEFORE: This photo, taken in spring 2018, shows people enjoying drinks and food near the Brandenburg Gate.
AFTER: But even as warmer weather approaches, restaurants are shut and only a handful of people can be seen seen roaming around the area.
BEFORE: Another major tourist attraction and historical site, the East Side Gallery —seen here in November 2017 — is always packed with tourists.
It normally sees crowds of people looking at the graffiti displayed on the former border walls.
AFTER: The gallery is now completely empty.
Before-and-after photos show Berlin's famous landmarks looking completely deserted in the coronavirus pandemic
BEFORE: Checkpoint Charlie, the best-known former crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin, attracts around 850,000 visitors a year by itself.
Source: Berlin Museum
AFTER: Nobody is going there now. Germany's restaurants, hotels, and other businesses are now seriously concerned. The government has pledged a massive emergency fund to save hard-hit businesses.
The government expects to run up an extra 156 billion euros ($169 billion) in debt from the fund, Deutsche Welle reported.
Companies that were in a good position by the end of 2019 are now able to apply for as much as 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) in emergency aid, the Financial Times reported.
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