Salve

There is something I really like about this doorway - actually many things! The arches, the details surrounding the door, the small oval window... but especially the built in Latin welcome mat! 

Happy Friday! Hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead.

Französischer Dom

Blue skies shine above the French Cathedral on the Gendarmenmarkt Square. Unfortunately, today's skies are not so blue, but rather gray and rainy. Hope the summer weather returns soon. If you're looking for more signs, you'll find them here!

Schloss Bellevue

The Schloss Bellevue is the building where the German president works and hosts visiting foreign dignitaries. I was lucky enough to be invited on a tour of the building and grounds recently (it is not open to the public) and I saw his personal study and the many rooms he uses for entertaining. Stay tuned for more!

March theme day: Black and white in color

A look inside the Bundespräsidialamt in Berlin. It's the working place of the German President (not to be confused with the German Chancellor) and his staff. I believe this shot lends itself quite well to this month's theme, a color shot that looks like black and white. For more interpretations, take a look here.

PS: I'm also posting more regularly on my travel blog. I recently took a three month adventure through Southeast Asia.

Ghostly columns

The columns surrounding the Pergamon Museum take on a different look at night. I wouldn't be surprised to find some ghosts and goblins wandering through the arches this evening. Hope you have a happy Halloween filled with treats and maybe a few tricks too!

PS: I am posting more regularly on my travel blog at the moment, please stop by Halcyon Travels for more of beautiful Lisbon. 

Konzert Haus, beleuchtet

Here's another look at one of the buildings taking part in this year's Festival of Lights. This is the beautiful Konzerthaus which stands in the middle of the Gendarmenmarkt. It's a beautiful building any time of the year, but especially so during this special spectacle! I hope you're enjoying the highlights.

Victoria building

Here's a look at the former headquarters of Victoria Versicherung in Berlin. How fantastic it must have been to walk through such a stately doorway on your way to work back in the old days.

Here's a closer look at the details. They just don't make them like this anymore! It's Tuesday, and you'll find more treasures here.

View from the Spree

Here's a look at the German Reichstag as seen from my recent river trip along the Spree. I love that glass dome that was added after reunification - the combination of old and new work well together. This is the building where the German parliament meets; it is open to visitors, but you have to sign up in advance for a time slot. It's definitely worth it to walk along the roof and inside the glass dome, you can see some other views from my visits here and here.

Please stop by Tuesday Treasures for a look at more old and beautiful places.

Bode in black and white

I had a visitor in from out of town last weekend, so I actually got out and about and did some touristy things, like a boat ride on the Spree. I caught this shot of the Bode Museum during the ride. I love the architecture and hope you agree it's perfect in black and white. More treasures can be found at Tuesday Treasures.

Monochrome treasures

A familiar sight in Kreuzberg. Beautiful, old buildings marred by graffiti. More treasures are to be found at Tuesday Treasures.

Under the arches

It was such fun exploring underground. The architecture of the tunnels is really fascinating, it's just a shame most people never get to see this side of the city.

Der Juliusturm

The Juliusturm (Julius Tower) is the oldest part of the Citadel, it dates back to a fortress that was on the site as early as 1200. A trip up to the top is one of the highlights of a visit to Spandau. On a clear day, you can see quite a ways and you easily understand the defensive nature of its position at the confluence of the Spree and Havel.

Though it was a bright day, it wasn't sunny and it was pretty cold and windy. I couldn't stay up top for very long, but I got a few snaps of the view. This is a view onto part of the moat which ensured the safety of Citadel in the old days.

And here's a look into the city center of Spandau. You may remember the church tower from yesterday's model. I hope you've enjoyed your week at the Citadel. For more reflections, visit Weekend Reflections.

Spandau Citadel

As promised, this week we're taking a tour through the Spandau Citadel. It's always good to start with a full-frontal of the building itself. The Citadel was completed in 1594 and is built at the crossroads of the rivers Havel and Spree, making it a perfect defensive spot. Today the Citadel hosts a Heimatmuseum. I hope you'll stop by again tomorrow for a look inside.

Everyday beauty

You can sometimes find the most amazing details in the most mundane of places. Take this art deco style chandelier found at the rather plain Bundesplatz S-Bahn station. From the outside, it looks very similar to yesterday's stop, lots of hulking concrete.

 

On the inside you're greeted by a long stretch of light that leads you right to the chandelier and up to the platforms on the left. The decorative brickwork on the ceiling and the upper walls is also a nice touch. Sometimes it pays to give a place a second look!

PS: Don't forget to stop by Halcyon Travels for of the beautiful Alsace.

On the Gendarmenmarkt

A look at the beautiful Konzert Haus on the Gendarmenmarkt in Mitte. It's always a nice place to walk around and I think the beautiful architecture lends itself well to black and white. Hope you agree!

PS: I have an Alsatian mural of sorts for you at Halcyon Travels.

Male torso

Here's another decorative piece that was on display inside the Humboldt Box. It seems the male torso has been dominated by an eagle. Make of that what you will. I'm linking this post with Tuesday Treasures.

Architectural details

The Humboldt Box is a showcase for the soon-to-be-finished Stadtschloss. It is designed after the original Prussian palace that stood on these grounds until after WWII when the DDR razed it and built the Palast der Republik in its place.

This is a look at one of the original decorative pieces that has been cast in plaster to show visitors to the Box what some of the interiors will look like. There has been some controversy around the rebuilding of such an important Prussian symbol - people either love it or hate it. Count me as one of the lovers, I can't wait until it's complete!

I'll be showing more from the Humboldt Box this week, hope you'll stop by. I'm linking this post with Tuesday Treasures.

Hall of portraits

The Schloss Charlottenburg only recently reopened after extensive renovations. It has been beautifully restored and decorated and is definitely worth a visit, if you're in the city. I'll show you more details from inside the halls and chambers throughout the week.
 

Until then, enjoy this portrait of Sophie-Charlotte, the queen consort the palace was named for. I'm also linking this post with Tuesday Treasures.

Looking up, again

I've shown you the cupola of the Berliner Dom before here, but I think it's worth seeing again. I think I've just about exhausted my stock of photos from the Dom, so this week I'll  take you on a tour through the Schloss Charlottenburg. I hope you'll come back tomorrow for the first stop on the tour. Happy Monday!

Reflections on the Spree

You can see Angie's washing machine reflected in the steel and glass government buildings that line the Spree in the Regierungsviertel. Not such a bad place to work, eh? You'll find more reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections.

I'm so glad Friday is finally here, this week seems to have dragged on forever. If the weather is nice this weekend, I plan to play a few holes of golf. If not, maybe I'll take in a movie. What exciting plans are on your agenda?