History and Beauty in Berlin

A big reason I wanted to start a blog in the first place was so that I could record and remember trips that my husband, Ian, and I have been on. He and I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, and before I forget everything that happened on our wonderful trip, I want to make sure it is recorded somewhere for me to look back on and for everyone to enjoy.

Berlin, Germany
May 9th, 10th and 11th - 2012

We were very happy to reach our hotel in the late afternoon of May 9th. It was quite nerve-wracking to be driving around a car you are unused to in a country that you've never driven in. We stayed at the Hotel Feuerwache.

A lovely little hotel. The man at the front desk was very friendly. Although there was a misunderstanding about which nights we would be staying, they invited us to sit at their cafe and order a drink on the house while they sorted the issue out.

 The hotel's cafe.

I miss European coffee, already.

We had such a charming little room. The window looked out onto a peaceful neighborhood. We left the window open all night, and it was so quiet. I still remember waking up with the birds singing softly to themselves outside.

The Hackescher Markt, one of the main market squares in Berlin. We met our walking tour group here, and had a nice tour around Berlin.

A memorial to the Jewish women of Berlin, who stayed strong and worked together to keep each other alive after many of the Jewish men were murdered or sent to concentration camps.

The Berlin Cathedral

A lovely lawn sprawls out in front of the Cathedral. It seems to be a popular place to read, study, and play frisbee.

"Palace Bridge" crossing into a more historic area of Berlin, the Bebelplatz.

Humboldt University

These chairs were placed here as a memorial. Upon most of the chairs lie books that were ordered to be burned or destroyed during Nazi rule. The chairs beckon people to sit down, read, and meditate on the literary and artistic freedoms they now are able to enjoy.

Ornate lamp-posts.

Throughout the city there is a line 2 bricks wide that silently reminds Berliners and tourists alike of the Berlin wall that used to be there.

Every wall is a challenge.

Murals on pieces of the Berlin wall.

Berlin memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe. The artist who designed the memorial intended the meaning to be up to individual interpretation. There was a solemn feel about the place.

The Brandenburg Gate, the central hub of Berlin.

There was a lush park near the Brandenburg Gate where we took a stroll. This park used to be the official hunting grounds for Nazi leaders.

The Reichstag, a very prominent building during the Nazi reign, and now the seat of German Parliament.

The head of Museum Island - a literal island completely covered in museums. We took a walk around the German History Muesum. It was a beautiful and comprehensive museum, we were only able to view about half of it before we had to leave!

This is the TV Tower, built in 1965 to be a symbol of Berlin. It is still the tallest structure in Germany.

Neptune fountain built in 1891.

I hope you enjoyed browsing these pictures; I promise, everything is even more breathtaking in person. Thank you, Berlin, for sharing your beauty and history with us.