Bumming Around in Berlin

What is most stunning about the city of Berlin is the architecture. While the destruction of Berlin during WW2 was devastating as evidenced by Kasier Wilhelm Church, Berlin has had the unique opportunity of blending new and old. It gives the city variety and keep it interesting. No where is the blend of new and old more evident than at the Reichstag.

The newly constructed glass dome atop the 19th century building was a highlight of my visit. Not only is entry to the glass dome free, but the audio guide provided gave you an in depth understanding of major points on the Berlin skyline. What made it cooler was the audio guide was automatic, when you reached certain points it would start the appropriate commentary.

One thing of which to be careful is the operating of the transit system. Twice I was out in the downtown area with others from the hostel at night and twice we got stranded and had to take a taxi. The second time we left earlier and thought we’d make it, but some lines and services close earlier than others. What was most weird was some lines would close at midnight but then reopen at 3AM – much too early for commuters, but perfect for Berlin’s great all night bars.

On my second day I made the trek out to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.You could definitely spend most of the day there (I was there for about 5 hours and could have spent more time) The memorial was packed with information there are many displays as well as you can rent an informative audio guide for 3 Euros (entrance is free). The plethora of mass graves on the sites really gives an eerie sense of  the history of the Third Reich and the beginning of the GDR.

Even if you don’t go to Sachsenhausen, you can’t help but feel history in Berlin. Very tasteful monuments litter the downtown area. Memorials for WW2, the holocaust, book burning all within walking distance from each other. But one of the most striking was the memorial to the victims of war located in an old Prussian guardhouse. It was shocking to enter this cavernous room that contained only one statue of a mother holding her dead son.

Everyone that I talked to said the one museum you have to go to is the Pergamonmuseum. I was not initial super excited about it when I heard it was mostly classical Roman and Greek sculptures,but as it turned out it was impressive! For me the sheer size of the displays is astounding. it feels like you are walking in an ancient Greek city that was stolen and transplanted to Berlin. I wish I had paid more attention in Greek mythology because then I could have appreciated the sculptures even more. 

Another museum I visited that deserves credit is the DDR museum – all about life in communist East Germany.It was small but had cool hands on features and lots of information in English.

On my last day I visited the East Side Gallery where the longest continuous piece of the Berlin Wall is located. Right now there are artists repainting  their paintings (after years of weather and tourist) damage in time for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall in November. I also  briefly visited the Kasier Wilhelm Church that was largely destroyed by allied bombing in 1943.

Lastly one of the ‘must do’ things is one of the fabulous free walking tours. I did it on my first day and the four hour tour gives you a sense of direction and a good opportunity to ask questions from a knowledgeable guide.