Berlin (up to 1871) Trivia Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In formal medieval and early modern documents Berlin is usually named together with another town, as one of a pair of 'twins'. What is that other town?

Answer: Coelln

The oldest part of Berlin is what came to be called the 'Nikolaiviertel', while Coelln (an der Spree, not to be confused with the great city on the Rhine) referred to the island in the Spree, which includes four major museums and used to include the royal palace.

The northern part of the island is referred to as the Museumsinsel (Museum Island) and the southern part as the Fischerinsel. The foundation of Berlin is dated, by long-standing convention, from the earliest mention of Coelln (in 1237).

2. What is the etymology of the place name "Berlin"?

Answer: berl- (Slavonic word for 'swamp')

Although folk etymology understandably prefers the explanation 'little bear', it is inaccurate. For a start, the diminutive ending '-lein' is South German, and the heavy stress on the second syllable also tells against it.

3. In the 1450s Berlin lost many of its privileges. What triggered this?

Answer: The Elector of Brandenburg established a residence there

Berlin was even a Hanseatic city, but the Elector of Brandenburg did not want any potential political rivalry on his doorstep (or in his backyard, for that matter).

4. In 1443 the Hohenzollern dynasty began building a palace in Berlin, which was gradually enlarged and became the royal residence. What has become of it?

Answer: It was badly damaged in World War II and the ruins were demolished in 1950

The decision by the government of the German Democratic Republic to demolish the ruins and not to attempt to restore even part of the Schloss was controversial at the time. There is a remarkable lack of buildings dating from before about 1815 in central Berlin. This is due in part to damage in World War II and in part also to speculative building.

There is sometimes talk of rebuilding the former royal palace.

5. Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg (often called the Great Elector, reigned 1640-1688) adopted a policy of limited religious toleration c. 1670. Which of these groups was to become a large and influential minority in Berlin by about 1710?

Answer: French Huguenots

The Protestants were not expelled from the Archbishopric of Salzburg till 1731-1735. Roman Catholics were not encouraged to settle in Brandenburg. A small number of Jewish families were encouraged to settle in Berlin in 1671, having been expelled from Vienna. (However, they had to pay a special tax for the privilege). After the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 French Huguenots were positively welcomed in Berlin and Brandenburg in the Edict of Potsdam (1685) and later given their own cathedral and allowed to establish a "Gymnasium" (high school), where all teaching was given in French till the 1890s.

In 1700 Huguenots made up about 20% of the population of Berlin.

6. In 1763 Frederick II (the Great) acquired a manufacturing business in Berlin. What did it produce?

Answer: Porcelain

The firm, founded in 1751, became known as the Koenigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, Berlin. Its products are generally marked with a blue underglaze sceptre and stamped with a rust coloured orb and the letters KPM. There are, however, other firms that also use the initials KPM ... So, inexperienced collectors, beware!

Berlin porcelain is generally of very high quality. All painting is done by hand and signed, and it has always been expensive, to say the least.

7. Which iconic structure in Berlin was completed in 1791?

Answer: The Brandenburg Gate

It was designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans, and originally combined the functions of a ceremonial gateway at the western end of Unter den Linden and a customs gate. After World War II it became a symbol both of the division and reunification of Germany.

8. In 1810 a newly founded institution opened its doors in Berlin. What was it?

Answer: The university

Much of the planning for the University of Berlin (as it was then called) was undertaken by Wilhelm von Humboldt, and in 1949 the university was renamed after him and his brother, Alexander. Originally intended to compensate for the loss of the University of Halle following Prussia's defeat at Jena, the new university enjoyed a rapid rise in fame and prestige.

Many key features were imitated throughout Central Europe and this university model, with its heavy emphasis on research, was immensely influential abroad too, not least in the U.S.

9. In the 1830s Berlin began to become an industrial city. Which of these well known companies, famous for producing locomotives, was established first?

Answer: Borsig

Borsig was founded in 1837 and produced railway locomotives. Siemens was founded in 1847 and initially manufactured telegraph equipment. It went on to become one of the largest corporations in the world. The AEG was established in 1887, and Grundig was founded in Nuremberg in 1945.

10. In 1871 Berlin became the capital of Germany.

Answer: True

Berlin had previously been the capital of only the Kingdom of Prussia (since 1701) and before that of the Margraviate of Brandenburg (since at least 1486). In 1871 the population within the city boundaries was about 850,000 and rising very fast. The rapid growth in population encouraged the building of vast blocks of flats.

The facades often had impressive stucco ornaments, while the courtyards behind were often dingy with very small apartments.

Source: Author bloomsby

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

This is the first in a series of three quizzes on the history of Berlin.

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