A grey morning soon gave way to sunshine (and the odd storm), we’ve been so very lucky with the weather so far. We began at the Topographie des Terrors, which, personally speaking, was about as much fun as the name suggests. Worthy for sure, but more like homework than a museum… just plaques upon plaques upon plaques.
Next door stands the Martin-Gropius-Bau, with its 19th-century facade pitted with bullet holes from 1945. It was built in the 1880s as a Museum of Decorative Arts, and only just survived the fighting around the Gestapo and SS headquarters next door.
From there it was a short walk to the Anhalter Bahnhof ruin. Once, one of Europe’s grandest train stations, although only a small fragment of its facade is all that remains after wartime bombing.
A quick bus trip then took us to Checkpoint Charlie. Once a key gateway between East and West Berlin, now a tourist trap of bus tours, cheesy photo-ops, fridge magnets, and fast-food brands.
After lunch we strolled to one of Berlin’s nicest squares, the Gendarmenmarkt. Two cathedrals (French and German) face each other across the square, with the Konzerthaus in between. Finally we had made it to the Berlin from the guidebooks… grand, stately, a little bit showy.
We then wandered to the Bebelplatz. Another lovely square, with the Opera House and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. In its centre is a memorial to the 1933 Nazi book burnings – an underground room of empty shelves, just visible through glass.
We kept with the theme of opulence and crossed into Museum Island… our second UNESCO World Heritage site of the trip. Surrounded by domes and columns, Berlin looked rather grand. Which made our eventual stroll back through Alexanderplatz a contrast… from imperial splendour to 70’s shopping mall vibes, all within a few blocks.
Supermarket (of course) and L went off in hunt for a bargain in one of the many second hand shops near where we’re staying. I came home to begin the pack for our relocation to the UK tomorrow.
The Obligatory Blog 