Berlin Photos

A the Spree

2011-11-06T06:35:00.000-08:00

The River Spree and the buildings along it, opposite the Museum Island. The one on the right is a shopping and business center. There are still a lot of ships are still on the river with a lot of tourists on it. The beginning of November is unusually warm. Between 10 and 15 degrees.

Silhouette in front of Old National Gallery

2011-10-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

I liked the contrast between the female sculpture and the light building (Old National Gallery) in the back. The museum is on the Museum Island in the middle of Berlin.

Alte Nationalgalerie Berlin

2011-10-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

The "Alte Nationalgalerie" on the museum island in Berlin. Beautiful autumn weather brought a lot of people out. Today, the Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie) is home to 19th century sculptures and paintings. It came into being in 1861, when the banker J.H.W. Wagener bequeathed his art collection to the king and a new building was erected to house it. Having suffered severe damage during the Second World War, the Old National Gallery was partially re-opened in 1949, and in 1955 all of its rooms were once more accessible to the public.

Read more: www.smb.museum/smb/sammlungen/details.php?objID=17&lang=en

Autumn in Berlin

2011-10-03T03:24:00.000-07:00

We have one of the nicest and warmest Octobers for years. Leaves are turning red and fungus are growing everywhere.

Birds in the backyard

2011-07-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

Behind the new "Kranzlereck" on Kurfürstendamm (corner Joachimstaler Straße) is a little quiet backyard. There are two large aviaries with all kinds of birds, lots of banks to rest and listen to the birds. There are also a few cafes so you can enjoy your little rest here. After that it's shopping time again!

Please click here for a little map.

The new Waldorf-Astoria in Berlin

2011-07-16T09:22:00.001-07:00

Just opposite station "Berlin Zoologischer Garten" the new hotel Waldorf-Astoria is beeing built. It will open late 2011 and is a 5 star hotel. It will have 232 rooms, including 21 apartments. It is just a few meters away from Kurfürstendamm and guest will have a perfect view on the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche

More information at: www.waldorfastoria.com/search/property-details.cfm?intPropertyId=37

Impressive old building

2010-09-11T01:35:00.000-07:00

On my way along the Landwehrkanal I saw this beautiful old building which is framed on both sides with very colorful striped buildings.

I had to look it up. These buildings belong to the Social Science Research Center (Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung). I think it is an interesting mixture of old and new buildings, historic and colorful.

Due to WWII and the reunicfication Berlin is a mixture of new and old buildings. Sometime my impression is that the symbiosis could have been done better. But I like this example.

Link:
Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung

Buddy Bear Magic Circle

2010-09-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

While I walked along the Landwehrkanal I found an unusual Berlin Buddy Bear. Normally they are standing on two or on four paws, this is the first one I saw sitting.

This one's been designed or rather sponsored by the "Magische Zirkel". The members meet regularly and the bear is covered mit magical utensils.

Links:
www.buddy-baer.com/en.html
www.mzberlin.de

Bertelsmann representation in Berlin

2010-02-19T00:30:00.000-08:00

This is the fairly new building of Bertelmann. The address is "Unter den Linden 1". It is a new building but the facade has been reconstructed of old photographs.

Inside it is very modern. Here you see the back of the bulding with a huge modern glas facade.

Snow-Spider

2010-02-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

It's not a snowman but it is a snowspider. Our neigbours' kids decided they had enough of snowmen after 6 weeks of snow in Berlin. They obviously wanted something else and created a snow spider. I think it's a great idea.

Bauakademie - Academy of Archetecture by Schinkel

2010-02-04T00:33:00.000-08:00

This is the former Academy of Architecture by Schinkel. Before it's destruction the building looked like this. What you see now is a framework with a tarpaulin.

Schinkel designed and built the Academy on the western bank of the River Spree vom 1832 to 1836. It housed two Royal Prussian authorities: The Academy of Architecture and the State Building Commission).

In February 1945 it was damaged by bombs and its interior burnt down completely. The GDR wanted to make room for their Foreign Office and pulled it down in 1961.

Now there is an Association fo r the Promotion of the Academy of Architecture with the purpose to reconstruct the building. The facade should be built in the historic style and it could be used as an international congress centre.

In the background you see the modern German Foreign Minstry.

More information on the Association fo r the Promotion of the Academy of Architecture you can find here: www.schinkelsche-bauakademie.de

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Snowmen protest against global warming

2010-02-01T07:12:00.001-08:00

In Berlin, hundreds of snowmen have been built by citizens in the middle of Berlin. Opposite the Berlin Dome you can find snowmen in all seizes and all kind of decorations.

On serveral internet blogs people were asked to build these snowmen. Although we have one of the coldest winters in history the threat of global warming is there. Especially in and around Berlin the summers are getting hotter and dryer.

The snowmen are on an open field in the city and people can walk among them and get a close look.

Remains of the Berlin City Wall

2010-01-25T03:58:00.000-08:00

These are the remains of the old Berlin City Wall, has nothing to do with the Berlin Wall after World War II.

This old wall was built in the 12th and 13th century. These remains in Mitte, Littenstraße, are as far as I know the only pieces which are still visible today.

Remains of Berlin Abbey

2010-01-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

A belated "Happy New Year" to everyone. It's a long time I haven't posted anything but due to changes in my job I had no time to upadate my blog regularly. I promise to (try to) do it more frequently.

I start with two photos of some remains in the middle of Berlin. It's just around the corner of Alexanderplatz. These are the remains of an old Franciscan Abbey built around 1250 (at least the first part of it). It's been amended a lot of times over the centuries. It was destroyed in 1945 during World War II.

Now you can see the remains in the middle of Berlin and since 2005 regular cultural events are held here.

Visit this link for more information: www.klosterruine-berlin.de/set.htm

Leipziger Platz

2009-09-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being away for so long, but now I'm back again.

At the moment we have got one of the nicest Septembers in history. The weather is absolutely great.

This picture was taken on Leipziger Platz, only 50 metres away from Potsdamer Platz. This square used to be in the "strip of death" during GDR times. While the Potsdamer Platz was rebuilt as one of the first ones they started building houses on Leipziger Platz much later. The left building with the huge Samsung ad and the building in the middle with the 5% ad are not real buildings. It is a gigantic photo and it shows what the building will look like in the future.

The second building from left with the flag on top is the Canadian Embassy.

Pariser Platz

2008-11-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

This is the French embassy (left) at the Pariser Platz, just opposite the Brandenburg Gate. It's a nice area for tourists and also for Berliners working nearby. They relax near the fountains on benches and do some people-watching in their lunch time.

Amerika-Haus

2008-11-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

During its existence, the Amerika Haus building on Hardenbergstrasse came to reflect and strengthen this relationship; an architectural symbol of the German-American history of the city.

An initiative of the U.S. government, from 1946 to 2006 the Amerika Haus in Berlin actively encouraged and informed exchange and debate between Germans and U.S. citizens; an important venue for discussion on areas such as politics, society, art and culture.

The closure of the Amerika Haus in 2006 provoked a widespread reaction amongst organizations focusing on transatlantic relations. Many of these organizations have since endeavoured to reopen the Amerika Haus under their own management, and have created the Amerika Haus Berlin Initiative with this aim.

The Amerika Haus Berlin Initiative aims to revive the building as a transatlantic information and event center, run by Berlin’s civil society for the general public.

www.initiative-amerika-haus-berlin.org/index.php?en

The man with the barrel organ

2008-10-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

In the historic center of Berlin you can often see people in costume and historic outfits to bring back the feeling of the past. On one of the last sunny days this year I saw this barrel organ player in front of the Brandenburg Gate, singing and playing while tourist stood around him to listen.

Lake of Schloss Charlottenburg

2008-10-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

This is the lake of Schloss Charlottenburg. In the summer people sit here for picknicks and sunbaths. In autumn and winter it is a nice place to go for a short walk and a lot people go jogging around the lake.
Everywhere you can find little bridges or benches and watch ducks and swans.

French Embassy Berlin

2008-10-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

This is the new French Embassy in Berlin. It is just opposite the Brandenburg Gate and has been opened only a few years ago. During GDR time this was no man's land and people were not allowed going near the Brandenburg Gate or the wall. The Brandenburg Gate stood on it's own without any buildings near. Today the Pariser Platz with it's buildings is one of the nicest areas in Berlin.

On the right hand side you see a little stall from "Mauer-Guide". From here you can get tours to show you where the wall had been or you can buy little maps and walk on your own.

Have you ever been to Berlin?

Brandburg Gate with people on top of it

2008-10-22T07:13:00.001-07:00

This is an unusual photo because you can see several people on top of the Brandenburg Gate. They were conducting an interview up there. Normally no one gets up there and even for journalists and camera teams it is a very rare possibility.
I also liked the similiarity of the horses on top of the Gate and the horses on the streets.

Schloss Charlottenburg, Garden

2008-10-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

This is the garden behind the palace Charlottenburg. It's a huge garden in the middle of the Berlin and one part the gardeners lay out in a Barock Style (I think). During summer there are hundreds and thousands of flowers but during autumn/winter they create patterns by colored mulch. I think it's a great idea because it brings colors in an otherwise grey winter. I took this photo at the beginning of this year. I hope they'll do it next winter again.
Have you seen anything like this before?

Schloss Charlottenburg, Palace

2008-10-18T02:03:00.000-07:00

Charlottenburg Palace was built from 1696 to 1699 for Sophie Charlotte, wife of Frederick III. The palace was the summer residence for Sophie Charlotte and is the largest residence of the Hohenzollern in Berlin.
Today the palace is a museum and you can visit the palace and the wonderful garden behind it.

Further information: www.spsg.de/index.php?id=134

Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin

2008-10-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

After a lengthy reconstruction by architect Josef Paul Kleihues, the Hamburger Bahnhof reopened on 2 November 1996 as the "Museum für Gegenwart" (Museum for Contemporary Art). The building was erected in the mid-19th century as one of the first terminal stations of the rail system.
www.hamburgerbahnhof.de

Invalidenpark

2008-10-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

In the 18th century this area has been a home for invalid people, injured during wars. There were several buildings and gardens and since 1850 the huge park became a public area. Due to several buildings being erected around the park, the park got smaller and smaller. During WWII the park and the buildings were destroyed and in 1967 the ruins were removed. During the GDR times the open space wasn't used. In 1996 this area became a park and a place for remembrance once again.

Airport Tempelhof

2008-10-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

This is the oldest airport in Berlin. Built by the Nazis it is a very monumental building. The airport is famous for it's history. When Russia blocked of the Western Part of Berlin after WWII, the whole city lived and survived of the goods brought into Berlin by planes.

On 30 October 2008 the last plane will leave the airport. The airport will be closed and it has not yet been decided how the building will be used in the future.

Drastic warning

2008-10-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

This huge poster is in front a the German Ministry of Transport. It is a drastic warning against speed driving, designed as a death notice.

Closed main streets

2008-10-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

I took this photo a few years ago, when George Bush was in Berlin. They blocked off three or four quarters in the inner city and closed the street "Unter den Linden" completely. It was a ghostly atmosphere because only a few people who worked in this area, were allowed to enter the security area. So for the first time I could walk in the middle of this wide street without being run over by a car.

Asian Flower Lady

2008-10-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

In many major S-Bahn-Stations you can see young Asian women selling flowers, like this one at Potsdamer Platz. Honestly I never saw anyone buying flowers from them, but obviously it is worth it. At least they bring some colour into most of the stations.

Museum of Natural History

2008-10-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

This pictures has been taken just before closing down for the day. Families are coming out of the Museum of Natural History in Berlin-Mitte. It is a fascinating museum, very modern. It tries to combine the "bones" with animation and pictures of the living dinosaur.
www.museum.hu-berlin.de/index.html

Historic Apartment Building

2008-10-05T03:33:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of historic apartment buildings in every area of Berlin. You can see nicely decorated sand stone, little turrets and stucco everywhere. This one is in Invalidenstraße, corner Chausseestraße.

Past and Future of German Railways

2008-10-04T03:11:00.000-07:00

Before World War II the station Nordbahnhof (then called Stettiner Bahnhof) was one of the four most important stations of the capital. It must have been an impressive building. In 1842 the station opened with the name "Stettiner Bahnhof". During the Cold War the station lay in East Berlin, with it's rails crossing West Berlin. It was closed by the GDR in 1952 and demolished in 1962.

Today you can see the remains of a small part of the building in front of the new buildings of German Rails "Deutsche Bahn". The past and the future of German railways.

Read more about the history: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stettiner_Bahnhof (in German)

Autumn in backyard

2008-10-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

In a Berlin backyard a wine plant is entwined around balconies.

Trick Fountains

2008-10-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

These trick fountains at the Potsamer Platz Shopping Arcades are very popular with adults but especially with kids. Long water-jets jump from one end to the other and people often try to catch it with their hands (and getting wet).

Station Potsdamer Platz

2008-10-01T05:54:00.000-07:00

This is the train and public transport station Potsdamer Platz in Berlin-Mitte. It is directly under a shopping mall and always crowded and very popular with tourists.

Preparations for Richard Gere in Berlin

2008-09-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

Richard Gere will present his new movie “Nights in Rodanthe” (Das Lächeln der Sterne” tonight at 7.30 pm. At around lunch time lots of trucks and people were preparing for the event tonight. The Premiere will be in a cinema at Potsdamer Platz, in the middle of Berlin. In the background you can see the huge poster for the musical “Mamma Mia”.

Russian Embassy

2008-09-29T00:47:00.001-07:00

This is a picture the Russian Embassy in Berlin. It shows the impressive entrance of the mission which is located on “Unter den Linden”. The building has been destroyed after the World War II but be rebuilt again. In 1952 in was officially opened again.

Read more about the history of the building (in German only)
http://www.russische-botschaft.de/index.php?id=162

Autumn impressions

2008-09-28T02:02:00.000-07:00

An old bike leaning against a church fence and surrounded by autumn leaves. I converted the photo into black and white, but brought back the colours of the leaves, because I liked their colour.

Former hospital

2008-09-27T01:12:00.001-07:00

In the North of Berlin there is a district called Berlin-Buch. Until last year there were several hospitals at different locations in that area. In 2007 they’ve built a new mega hospital a bit outside of Berlin-Buch and all sections moved to the new location.The old (most historic) buildings were abandoned and they are waiting now for investors to give them a new life. Nature is taking possession of the old buildings gradually. Depending on how long these buildings will stay empty, nature has time to “prettify” the buildings.

Toys for men

2008-09-26T02:12:00.000-07:00

Mainly men stop in front of the Bugatti Shop window to have a look at the shiny new Veyron 16.4. The luxury sports car is shown on one of Berlin’s shopping streets Friedrichstraße. Corner Friedrichstraße/Unter den Linden a whole building has been built to present luxury cars from different companies. While the men can have a look at the cars and daydream, women (or men not interested in cars) can either enjoy a coffee or visit one of the regular exhibitions in the basement.

www.automobilforum-berlin.de

Berliner Fernsehturm

2008-09-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Berliner Fernsehturm

This is one of the most famous town’s landmarks. The tower was built in 1969. About 1.2 million people visit it each year. On top are an observation deck and a restaurant. You can even get married up there.

“The Pope’s revenge”
When the sun is shining you can see a big cross on the round structure. The tower was built during GDR times and the GDR tried to oppress religious life. There is the famous anecdote that after the tower has been built the Stasi (Staatssicherheit, GDR secret service) interrogated the architect to find out, if he had done this on purpose to criticize the government.

Today it is “just” one of the highest points in the city with a breathtaking view over Berlin.
Web: www.berlinerfernsehturm.de/home_en.asp

2008-09-25T06:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog Berlin Pictures. I would like to show you some photos of my interesting city, with lots of things to do and to see.