How Old Is Berlin? From Medieval Fishing Village to Modern Capital

Berlin's age depends on what you count as "Berlin." The city has no single founding date, but a layered history spanning millennia.

Deep Prehistory

Archaeological evidence shows human settlement in the Berlin area at least 7,000–9,000 years ago (Mesolithic). Slavic tribes (Hevelli, Sprevani) established fortified settlements (gords) at Spandau and Köpenick by the 8th–9th centuries CE.

Medieval Founding (13th Century)

• 1237: First documentary mention of Cölln (sister town to Berlin, on Spree Island)—traditional "birthday."
• 1244: First mention of Berlin itself (east bank of Spree).
• 1307: Berlin and Cölln merge administratively.
• 1415: Hohenzollern rule begins (Burggrave Friedrich VI becomes Elector of Brandenburg).

Early Modern Growth

• 1701: Becomes capital of Kingdom of Prussia.
• 1710: Unification of Berlin, Cölln, Friedrichswerder, Dorotheenstadt, Friedrichstadt as "Royal Capital and Residence City Berlin."
• 18th century: Major garrison city, Enlightenment center (Frederick the Great).

19th Century: Industrial Metropolis

• 1871: Capital of German Empire; population >800,000.
• 1900: >1.8 million; 1920: Greater Berlin Act creates 3.8 million city.

20th Century: Destruction and Division

• 1933–1945: Nazi capital; heavily bombed.
• 1945–1990: Divided (East/West Berlin); Wall 1961–1989.
• 1990: Reunification; capital of unified Germany (government moves 1999).

Today

Population ~3.7 million (city), ~6 million (metro). A global hub for culture, tech, politics, and history—built on ~780 years of documented urban history and 7,000+ years of human presence.