Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

I have come back to Berlin for the first time since 1963, and it is a totally different place, the wall is down, except segments have been kept for history. The best known, a 1.3 kilometre long, East Side Gallery, located between Warchauer Strasse and the Hauptbahnhof, it contains 106 paintings by artists from around the world, and is the largest open air gallery, world wide.

Pictures from the East Side Gallery Berlin - Wall

Berlin is now a single entity, although the contrast between the old East and the West is still evident, my hotel this stay, is located in the old East Berlin. Here there are many fine old buildings, especially on the Unter der Linden. The skyline here is broken by many building cranes, as new buildings go up apace.

Berlin Wall graffiti

In talking to people on the famous Kurfurstendamm, and outside the Zoo Station about the reunion of East and West, I get the impression that those who lived in the old West, may resent all the money being poured in to rehabilitate the old East. They feel that their life style and quality of life is being downgraded through this amalgamation.

The remains of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin with the freestanding hexagonal bell tower alongside it

On this trip I am able to walk through the famous Brandenburg Gate, a truly remarkable structure. I visited the remains of the Wilhelm Kaiser Memorial Church, built over 1891 - 1895, and essentially destroyed by Allied bombing in November 1943.

Only the broken West Tower was left standing, a new ogtagonal church was built alongside this existing tower, and a free standing hexagonal bell tower is built on the site of the nave of the original church.

I took a bus to Potsdam, and then come back by ferry, on board I talk to a lady teacher who had been isolated behind the wall in East berlin, she pointed out an old church which was banned and unused during the Communist reign. She is delighted it is back in use. 

Segment of the damaged roof. Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

On the Kurfurstendamm is located the huge Department store Ka De We, one of the largest stores in Europe. A visit to its food floor is both an eye opener and a delight to behold. One could spend a whole day here, just drooling over the most wonderful displays of food in every shape and form, and in sampling some of them.

Berlin is a modern, exciting city and my second visit was most enjoyable, but it was time to move on, next stop Paris.

 

 

Potsdam Sansoucci Palace. The summer palace of King Frederick the Great built in 1747

 

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