The Brandenburg Gate which sits on the edge of Berlin‘s grandest main street, Unter den Linden, is one of Germany’s most famous monuments. Once a symbol of the divided city and part of the Berlin Wall, the gate now represents a reunified Germany and is considered one of Europe’s most famous landmarks. Americans remember President Reagan standing at this gate on June 12, 1987, and challenging the Russian leader….“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
The American Embassy also stands nearby, along with the priciest hotel in all of Berlin: The Hotel Adlon. This is the hotel where the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson showed the world his new baby, Blanket, by thrusting him out of the window and dangling him over the balcony. Lots of history in this square!
A short distance from the Brandenburg Gate, is the city’s Holocaust Memorial. Occupying nearly five acres, the memorial comprises hundreds of standing pieces of unwritten stone, all the same width, but all at different heights. As people get lost in the low and high stone monuments, it brings a sense of fear and sense of being alone, like those who were led into concentration camps.
In a field amidst highrise apartments is the site designating Hitler’s bunker, an underground shelter where the Fuhrer spent his last days with Eva Braun. Signs marking Hitler’s bunker are low key since the Germans do not want to glorify Hitler and his actions. In fact, his government offices and housing, just down the street, were never reconstructed after the war to their original design. A Chinese restaurant is one of several buildings now occupying that space.
At first glance, the actual Berlin Wall—what remains of the structure—is somewhat disappointing, not a grand formation like China’s Great Wall. This cement barrier is covered with graffiti. The wall’s history, however, is sobering. Between 1961 and 1989, one thousand people were shot or killed while near the wall. These were the years when Berlin, like Germany, was divided in two. Those from East Berlin and East Germany were not permitted to leave. Those who attempted sometimes met with violence and death. After 1989, the remainder of the wall was torn down, and cobblestones were placed in the streets where it once stood.
Checkpoint Charlie or Checkpoint C is here, too, the name given to the famous crossing point between East Germany and West Germany during the Cold War. The original guard house is located in the Allied Museum, while a replica built on the site remains a popular tourist attraction.
After lunch in a café near the checkpoint, we ventured on to Museum Island by crossing a bridge over the Spree River. Located in the central Mitte district of Berlin, this long island houses five internationally renowned museums—the Neues Museum (Egyptian Art), Altes Museum (collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian artifacts), Alte Nationalgalerie (Art Museum), the Bode Museum (sculpture collections and late Antique and Byzantine art), and the Pergamonmuseum, which houses the famous Pergamon Altar. Another museum to visit is the Natural History Museum, with over 60 million exhibits, including the world’s largest dinosaur remains. Also on the island is the “toothpick,” a television tower that happens to be the second tallest structure in Europe. There is a viewing platform as well as a revolving café.
Those looking to take a break from museums, can venture to the Tiergarden, Berlin’s largest green space with walkways, canals, ponds and sometimes nude sunbathers (Although, we didn’t spot any nude sunbathers, we have been warned about their visits to public parks). We strolled down Kurfurstendamm, Berlin’s “Fifth Avenue” with high end boutiques and designer shops. In the Savigny Platz area, visitors may enjoy browsing in many trendy and quaint shops. Other places to visit (maybe next time for us) includes the Schloss Charlottenburg, a grand castle built in 1695 but restored after World War II.
Flea and craft markets were a wonderful surprise. In one, we found a photographer whose collection included pictures of angel statues from various European cities. Now sitting in my living room is one of his photographs from Italy. Maybe one day soon, I’ll see it for myself.
Days after visiting Berlin, I found myself thinking about the city, almost like continuing to ponder a good book after the last page has been read. A city with so much distress in its past, is now a city that has overcome past events and become one of Europe’s most beautiful, interesting, and influential cities.
Stacey Walz will be writing about her year in Europe, contributing travel articles and her thoughts on what she is calling her own Eat Pray Love journey.
