First shot is a view from our hotel to the Germanic Dome (a church) on the plaza in front of us. We walked through Checkpoint Charlie and learned more about the division of the city (1961- 1989). Then continued on to the Topography of Terror Museum on the site of the headquarters of the SS. It was here that all of the plans for the elimination of Jews and “other inferior races” was devised. The buildings were all destroyed in the allied bombing of Berlin, and although most of the city was rebuilt as it was before the war, this area was turned into a plaza with a very sobering museum. Make certain to read the German people’s reaction to the genocide. You can see definite similarities to the US administration now as it locks children up in cages and calls the press the enemy of the people. It is very scary. Although very upsetting it was good to see many, many school groups there. There was some remants of the wall and foundations of some of the buildings as well. Right next door was a famous Bauhaus building that was unscatched after the war. From there we hopped a bus past the Alexanderplatz including the needle and Berlin City Hall to Bernauerstrassa. Many of us remember this site as where many East Berlin citizens died trying to escape to the west. Houses that came right up to the wall were boarded up with windows cemented over, and eventually taken down. Over 130 people died trying to escape. Markers are placed on the sidewalk in memorium. After lunch we strolled a different part of the wall on the Spree River called the East Side Gallery. It is the graffiti artist area mentoned in my previous post. Looking down river we saw the An den Treptowers bridging the river. One last ride to the Neue Synagogue. It was Berlin’s largest with seating for over 3200. It was destroyed by the Nazis, but recently has been partially restored to it’s original Moroccan Style architectural style. (No pictures allowed inside). A government building also in Moroccan style sits on the corner next to it. Before quitting for the night and packing up for our return home we enjoyed a touch of the Berlin Lights Festival where entire buildings are showered with constantly changing light patterns. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and the people here. Auf Wiedersehen Berlin.
