Zoologischer Garten History
The Zoologischer Garten Berlin, also known as the Berlin Zoo, was founded in 1844 by the Prussian king, Friedrich Wilhelm IV. It was the first zoo in then Prussia, and was designed to be a place where people could learn about and observe animals from around the world.
The Zoologischer Garten is located in the Tiergarten and through the course of the 19th and 20th centuries saw various phases of expansion, including in 1913 the construction of a neighboring aquarium. Heavily destroyed in World War II only 91 of the 3715 animals survived and saw a challenging rebuilding phase post-War.
Due to the Berlin Wall and isolated state of West Berlin it would not be until reunification that the zoo saw a larger and more international audience. This was personified with the birth of Knut in 2006 the zoo's first polar bear, which especially within Germany saw massive media attention.
The zoo opens everyday from 9AM but varies in closing depending on Summer and Winter seasons. Check out the website for current opening times. A full price ticket - 16+ years old - costs 17€ with various other ticket and ticket combinations possible.