Spandau Citadel

Not the same as the nearby prison that housed Nazi war-criminals, Spandau Citadel is nevertheless an impressive monument with a history packed with tales. It was built in the 16th century, on an island that was impregnable - until the arrival of Napoleon's army in 1809. Fast-forward to the end of the second world war, when Spandau was once again called into action as a stronghold, this time against the advancing Russian forces. Eventually, the complete blockade of the citadel forced the surrender of the forces holed up inside - a fact which probably saved the building itself from destruction. Now a museum and concert venue, Spandau's future looks far more peaceful than its past.