Real reviews from real travelers.
Berlin Pages by matcrazy1
Tips 1 - 10 of 54 Berlin Things to Do
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I started my first day in Berlin from walking streets around my hotel and then I took a walk along main boulevard and the most elegant street of the former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm called usually shortly Ku-Damm - isn't it easier? Even in February morning it looked nice with its wide walkways on both sides and beautiful platano trees growing along.
I would like to have been there on 9th Nov. 1989 when the Berlin Wall was torn down and the East Berliners could walk along that street for the first time, add their Trabant cars driving along :-). Were they as much surpriced (even shocked) as I was when I saw "western" city (Vienna, Austria in 70') for the first time? Notice that in contrast to Poles, East Germans were not allowed to travel to any Western European country (even to former Yougoslavia) in 70' and 80' because they could easy "escape" to West Germany. Hmm... who would live in East Germany that time, only Soviet troops?
My points of interest at Ku-Damm:- Emperor William Memorial Church (Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche),- a few beautiful old houses,- cafes and restaurants. I found a few places with tables put on the street, empty in February. It must be good place to relax, have a cup of coffee or a drink and first to watch people in warmer months, I am sure;
- a few examples of small and large, pretty modern architecture,
- luxury and elegant stores (clothes, shoes by Gino Rossi, cosmetics, cars esp.) including of world's known designers, department stores as well; add postcards sold along the street and post office when I could buy postage stamps.
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Address: Kurfürstendamm, B-Charlottenburg/ Wilmersdorf
Directions: U-Bahn: Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15). Uhlandstrasse (U15) and Adenauerplatz (U7) more to the west as well.
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On the northern side of Kurfürstendamm there is the square on which one can find two high and quite different structures well seen from Ku-dam as the street bends a little there: one old and partly destroyed by bombings during WWII and the second, new and modern in style. They both form the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (Emperor William Memorial Church), a symbol of the city of Berlin.It's strange. Looking at the church I thought about the two other symbolic buildings I never visited yet:
- St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City which looks slightly out of place among skyscrapers,
- A-bomb Dome in Hiroshima, Japan which partly survived an A-bomb explosion on August 6, 1945.
Welcome to my travelogues if you want to see more pictures of the churches both outside and inside
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Phone: +49 (30) 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Breitscheidplatz is a square north of the main shopping Boulevard of former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (U12, U2, U9) or Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15) S-bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S75) Bus: 100, 109, 119, 129, 200.
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche.de
Other Contact: Fax : +49 (30) 217 60 90
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This old massive red sandstone church or rather its ruins really surprised me. First because it was very high building, second because it looked a little like out of the place - located among modern buildings around, third because it was partly destroyed which made the huge construction somewhat more secret and a little horrible.More pictures in my travelogue. You are welcome! HISTORYThe Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (Emperor William Memorial Church) commemorates the life of the first German Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm I. The neo-Roman church was built in an ornamental style from 1891–95. Then it was was destroyed in an air raid in 1943. Its ruins were supposed to be demolished to make place for the planned new building in 1956. But thanks to huge, emotional protests of Berliners it was decided to integrate the ruins into the new building.
The church was left and stands till today as a memory of the past, a reminder of the horrors of war for every Berliner. It's a symbol of the city of Berlin, like the Branderburg Gate and Berlin bears.
HOURS:Church
Daily 9.00 am -7.00 pm
Service (Protestant):
on each Sunday at 10.00 am and 6.00 pm
from June till August additional service in a chapel on each Sunday at 9.00 am
Prayers welcome:
Mon - Fri: 1.00 pm, 5.30 pm, 6.00 pm
Cantata or organvespers concert: on each Saturday at 6.00 pm.
Memorial Hall
Tuesday-Saturday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
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Phone: +49 (30) 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Breitscheidplatz is a square north of the main shopping Boulevard of former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (U12, U2, U9) or Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15) S-bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S75) Bus: 100, 109, 119, 129, 200.
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche.de
Other Contact: Fax : +49 (30) 217 60 90
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I visited a small museum inside the old church - the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche. There were exhibitions and photographs documenting the history of the original church, and the destructive ravages of war.
The place was a little bit crowded despite I visited it out of the season, in February (well, on Saturday afternoon). It maybe more crowded in summer weekends, I suppose.I didn't find it very interesting to be honest. Instead, I enjoyed my eyes looking up to impressive, renovated mosaics on the arced ceiling and huge, partly destroyed roof and vaults.
More pictures in my travelogue. You are welcome!
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Phone: +49 (30) 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Breitscheidplatz is a square north of the main shopping Boulevard of former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (U12, U2, U9) or Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15) S-bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S75) Bus: 100, 109, 119, 129, 200.
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche.de
Other Contact: Fax : +49 (30) 217 60 90
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The ceiling or rather huge arches inside the Emperor William Memorial Church were covered by amazing mosaics. They were very colorful, looked like just renovated and depicted historical scenes, showed symbols of German/Prussian power and religion.
I took more pictures of them. You can see a few in my travelogue Memorial Church - mosaics and interior
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Phone: +49 (30) 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Breitscheidplatz is a square north of the main shopping Boulevard of former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (U12, U2, U9) or Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15) S-bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S75) Bus: 100, 109, 119, 129, 200.
Website: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/49b49/#TL
Other Contact: Fax : +49 (30) 217 60 90
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Visiting Berlin? Read reviews about Berlin Hotels Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
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A modern, octagonal chapel and hexagonal blue stained-glass bell tower were added next to the remainings of the old church in 1961. Inside, I found a cross of nails donated by Coventry, in Britain - another city devastated by bombs. The bell tolls every hour and plays nice song by Prince Louis Ferdinand which I was lucky to hear.
The new church can hold up to 1,200 worshippers, and 10-minute religious services - conceived for office workers heading home - are held there every day at 5.30 and at 6.00 pm. Between June and August, English-language services are conducted daily at 9.00 am, and free organ concerts are presented here every Saturday, year-round, at 6.00 pm. Hmm... it's a pity I didn't know about the Saturday concerts. Mybe next time...
More pictures in my travelogue. You are welcome!
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Phone: +49 (30) 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Breitscheidplatz is a square north of the main shopping Boulevard of former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (U12, U2, U9) or Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15) S-bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S75) Bus: 100, 109, 119, 129, 200.
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche.de
Other Contact: Fax : +49 (30) 217 60 90
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Berliners seem to like to come up with odd nicknames for things. Look, the damaged bell tower of the Emperor William Memorial Church is called the "hollow tooth", the tall modern bell tower is called "lipstick" and low octagonal church is called "powder puff". Funny and quite... accurate names, aren't they? Look at hollow tooth and top of the lipstick on my picture :-).
More pictures in my travelogue. You are welcome!
Leave a Comment
Phone: +49 (30) 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Breitscheidplatz is a square north of the main shopping Boulevard of former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm. U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (U12, U2, U9) or Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15) S-bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S75) Bus: 100, 109, 119, 129, 200.
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche.de
Other Contact: Fax : +49 (30) 217 60 90
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I found district of Kreuzberg a very interesting part of Berlin. It was artistic, multicultural, scene district of Berlin (like Mont Martre in Paris) full of ethnic minorities (Turks mainly), artistic shops and works. Its western part was richer, more luxary and less crazy, I could say.
And this district had its darker face as well: modern tower blocks which formed anonymous concrete jungle around Hallesches Tor and Kottbusser Tor. It was not the cleanest and not my favourite part of Berlin to be honest.
For me Kreuzberg was a very interesting place for shopping/eating especially at main shopping street: Bergmannstra?e and for nightlife (famous Yorckschlosschen Club and Bar for jazz and blues lovers).Add a few interesting museums located there, hmm... I am going to visit next time - esp. the legendary Checkpoint Charlie, the Wall on Niederkirchnerstra?e and the Jewish Museum.
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Directions: Kreuzberg is located in eastern part of former West Berlin (bordering the wall), south of Mitte (centre of former East Berlin), east of Tiergarten and Charlottenburg and north of Tempelhof (airport).
Website: http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/english/berlin-infos/e_bi_bezirk-kreuzberg.html
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Museums: Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie
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This not very pretty, square, glass, complited in 1968 building on my picture housed the New National Gallery (Neue Nationalgalerie) and was the first museum to be opened in the future Kulturforum - modern complex of museums, galleries, libraries and the Philharmonic Hall.
The gallery contains 20th century European painting and sculpture esp. cubism, expressionism, the Bauhaus and surrealism and presents often temporary exhibitions like world's most famous paintings from collection of Museum of Modern Art New York (February 20th to September 19th, 2004).
Opening hours:
February 20th to September 19th, 2004 (MoMA):
Tues, Wed, Sun: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm,
Thurs to Sat: 10.00 am - 10.00 pm
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Phone: +49 (30) 266 26 51
Address: Potsdamerstraße 50, 10785 Berlin (Tiergarten)
Directions: U-Bahn and S-Bahn station Potsdamer Platz.
Website: http://www.smb.spk-berlin.de/nng/e/s.html
Other Contact: Fax: +49 (30) 262 47 15
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Events: Museum of Modern Art New York in Berlin
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I finally decided to go to Berlin just to see 200 of the most significant masterpieces of the twentieth century from the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, brought at the Neue Nationalgalerie. The exposition lasts from February 20 to September 19, 2004 and I was very, very satisfied to see it.Highlights:Haha, very difficult to choose. OK, I will try:1. „The Starry Night“ by Vincent van Gogh (1889),
2. „Three Musicians“ by Picasso (1921),
3. "Dance" (first version 1909) by Henri Matisse,
4. "Reclining nude" by Amadeo Modigliani (1919),
5. "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dali (1931).
Opening Hours
Tues/Wed/Sun 10.00 am - 6.00 pm,
Thurs/Fri/Sat 10.00 am - 10.00 pm.
No Smoking.
No cameras :-(((.
Leave any large bags in the cloakroom.
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Phone: +49 (30) 266 26 51
Address: Potsdamerstraße 50, 10785 Berlin (Tiergarten)
Directions: U-/S-Bahn Potsdamer Platz U1 Kurfürstenstraße U2 Mendelssohn-Bartholdy-Park Bus 129/148/200/248/348.
Website: http://www.das-moma-in-berlin.de/home/
Other Contact: Fax: +49 (30) 26 55 76 94
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 Comments for matcrazy1 about Berlin | | | | |
edvin_br Sat Aug 23, 2008 14:49 UTC
This days im planning a trip to Berlin. Your page is great and gave me a lot of inspiration.. :] | nora_south_africa Sat Apr 12, 2008 16:50 UTC
great page thanx, really can sit for hours on your pages!! | javawhz Thu Mar 20, 2008 03:51 UTC
it isn't enough to hold your camera still because if there are cars, people and other objects moving a long exposure will just streak the whole picture. You need a fast wide angle lens (like 18mm f/1.8) and those are very expensive. | Fantasmine Sun Mar 2, 2008 00:17 UTC
Great overview and very good suggestions. I'm going to Berlin in two weeks!!!Thanks for sharing. |
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on Feb 25, 2005
