16-22 deg C, sunny, cloudy, drizzly, repeat all day. When the sun did come out it was nice and warm
Walk G: 10km; total: 362km
Walk W: 10km; total: 329km
The day started with a visit to the Memorial and information site for the victims of National Socialism - an informative display of the “euthanasia program” that killed hundreds of thousands of disabled, mentally ill, ‘gay/lesbian’ (not a term used back then), or anyone else displaying signs of not being ‘normal’. The people were deemed ‘useless’ by doctors, lawyers, and officials of the Nazi regime. The ‘killing places’ were also used to exterminate some Jews during the war years. Quite sobering to read that doctors were involved. One doctor’s name that did pop up on one screen was ‘Nitsche’; wonder if he was any relation of euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke; not spelt exactly the same though?
Greg then went on to visit the Photography Museum, which only had a special exhibition on the work of two German fashion photographers during the 1950s to the 90s. Interesting but not what he was expecting. Moving right along, while in the Zoo Gardens area he took the opportunity to visit the Kaiser Wilhelm I, King of Prussia, Memorial Church. Well what is left of it after the bombing on 23 Nov 43. There is now a very plain church on the grounds, along with the shored up remnants of the original. The magnificent organ was playing in the new church when he walked in, stunning!
On the bus ride back to the city centre he spied an interesting glass building so he hopped off and photographed the Berlin Cube, basically an office block. It just happens to be next to the main Berlin Railway Station. After some lunch and a wander he got back on a bus again only to be stopped about 3km from the centre by a peace rally. Dozens of police shadowed it all the way. After watching the procession of people, many beating all types of drums, for about an hour, it still had a long way to go, so he continued his journey on foot. Rough guess there would have been 100,000 people marching.
After the euthanasia display, Wendy went back to the hotel and it started raining about 500m out, and didn’t stop until almost lunch time. During that time she booked a few more hotels and did some ride route research for appropriate stops. After the rain stopped she set out again for the Reichstag, only to be confronted with the above-mentioned peace rally/demonstration. Wendy hates crowds, so did an immediate about turn and headed back to the hotel via the Rewe for dinner supplies.
She set off again mid-afternoon to visit the Topography of Terror site just around the corner from the hotel. This site was where the institutions of the Nazi apparatus of terror and persecution were located between 1933 and 1946 - Gestapo HQ, Reich Leadership and Security Service (SD). The task of the site is to convey historical information on Nazi Terror and its consequences after 1945. Another sobering exhibition. The 200m of the Berlin Wall displayed is the longest surviving and was left with all the damage and traces of attempted destruction that occurred during the transition period. She then wandered back to the hotel via roads not yet explored.
In this hotel, if you hang a sign on the door saying you don’t want your room made up, you get two free drink vouchers for use in the hotel bar. It would be rude not to use them so tonight Greg had a 500ml zero alcohol beer, while Wendy was only entitled to a 330ml alcoholic beer! Dinner was had on return to the room, then the rest of the routine before bed.
Outside the Lego Discovery Centre
Berlin Philharmonic orchestra 1960s concert hall
Memorial and Information Site for the Victims of National Socialism
Museum of photography, Berlin
Taken by Rico Puhlmann
Kaiser Wilhelm I Memorial Church - what is left of it.
The New Church
3XN Cube Berlin
An innovative architectural landmark designed by Danish firm 3XN. It is a blend of modern architecture and functionality, with its glass panels creating an open, transparent feel, while maintaining a sleek, futuristic look.
New Church
Global Tower
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
2,710 columns forming a vast maze like Holocaust memorial
Not quite the same view as the old pic above, but definitely the same buildings
State Parliament
Gropius Bau
19-century hall and culture centre for exhibitions of contemporary art, photography, and archaeology
Houseball
Called Houseball because it looks like a house that’s been rolled and scrunched up into a ball
Bethlehem Church Place
A Bear outside the Bulgarian Embassy
To break the wall
Outside the Bulgarian Embassy (across the road from our hotel)
The NH Collection Hotels Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie Bears
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