I saw many fabulous things on my recent trip to Berlin. Firstly, the history, without a doubt is a massive focal point, secondly, the art scene, art is a very important, significant part of the city. Last but not least, the incredible buildings that are springing up in the evolving capital.
I visited Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Topography of Terror and the largest remaining section of the Wall. These historical sights presented a large documentation of World War II, amazing stories and memorabilia from those trying to escape the Border by digging tunnels, building a hot air balloon, squeezing into two suitcase’s joined together to travel by train or going underwater and attempting to snorkel across.
The Art within Berlin is everywhere, from various galleries housing many of the great names to sculpture after sculpture situated on every other corner across the city. I visited the Neue Nationalgalerie, the building itself is worth a mention, the famous ‘Temple of Light and Glass’ designed by Mies van der Rohe. This holds a selection of 20th Century painting and sculptures from some of my favourites – Picasso, Klee, Braque and Kandinsky, plus a painting that I had never seen before from Dali.
I then went on to visit the Gemaldegalerie, this holds one of the world’s leading collections of European art from the 13th to the 18th Centuries. I saw pieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt and Scotland’s Sir Henry Raeburn.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Dali Exhibition. I have had the chance to also attend his museum in Montmartre Paris, but here in Berlin differed slightly, stripping back the artist and exhibiting drawings, sketches, illustrated books, as well as some of his less well known paintings and sculptures.
Another lovely thing I came across was Berlin’s collection of ‘Buddy Bears’ these fibreglass, life-size bears can be found outside various organisations who sponsor the bears and results in them being decorated accordingly to that organisation, they range from the underground map, a pint of beer to The Statue of Liberty who can be found outside the American Embassy. View the Bears we spotted on our travels here.
With regards the architecture within Berlin, this is very exciting. From the traditional buildings of the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate to the more recent Sony Centre at Potsdamer Platz and Berlin Hauptbahnhof the most expensive Train Station in Europe. Apparently they introduced robots to clean the roof, they done a great job cleaning but once they reached the edge rather than stopping and turning around they fell off the edge… woops!
To attract further interest and contrast to the city, a modern glass dome has been constructed on top of the rebuilt Reichstag, this can be known as the Cupola, this allows visitors to get a 360-degree view of the city.
This was lovely, friendly and history filled city, I would recommend a visit to anyone who has an interest in history, art or architecture. Thanks Berlin