KaDeWe in Berlin

The KaDeWe also known as Kaufhaus des Westens is one of the oldest and departmental stores of Germany. This shopping centre also takes the credit for being the second largest departmental store in Europe, after Harrods in London. The KaDeWe was established in 1907 and will celebrate 100 years of business on 2007. The Monument is one of the finest examples of the last century of German history as it has stood witness to it all: the two world wars, the period behind the iron curtain and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

When the KaDeWe was first established in 1907 by businessman Adolf Jandorf, the shopping center consisted of five floors spread out over an area of 24,000 square meters. The store rose to fame pretty quickly as Berlin's premier shopping spot.

That the city of Berlin can never quite let go of its turbulent past is apparent from the poignant sign outside the KaDeWe centre that reads "Places of terror that we are never allowed to forget" and lists the names of the most significant death camps operated by the Nazis during the second World War.

The KaDeWe Centre has now expanded to eight floors over an area of 60, 0000 square meters. The departmental store offers a variety of 380, 000 articles and it is said it is impossible to think of an article that you cannot find in the Kaufhaus des Westens in Berlin.

The KaDeWe is renowned for its delicatessen department which stocks 33, 000 articles. Everything from the world of gourmet foods and exotic culinary treats to fresh seafood are available here and just looking at the sheer variety of food items available will make the hours fly by. The KaDeWe stocks 1300 different kinds of cheese, 2400 wines and there are numerous such items that will please those who fancy themselves as connoisseurs.

For food and drink you could head upstairs to some of the eateries. This is one of the best places to try seafood in Berlin. A plated of oysters with a bottle of nice Chablis after a bout of shopping can be simply divine!