Marbles

A collection of marble sculptures inside the newly refurbished wing of the Schloss Charlottenburg. I recently saw a performance of Mozart's greatest hits in one of the upper rooms. It was a real treat to see the palace "after hours" and the musicians were really talented, especially the soprano. Hopefully there will be other performances to enjoy in the future!

Political statement?

I'm sure this mural means something, I'm just not sure what. Mural lovers will find more street art at Monday Mural.

Please take a seat

There is a free outdoor cinema taking place right now at the Kranzler Eck just off the Ku'damm. Anyone is welcome to enjoy the entertainment. Beer and snacks are available for those who want them, and they even rent blankets in case it gets cold! I've thought about staying late after work, but most of the movies I've seen already. Maybe I'll have to take another look at the schedule. 

It's Wednesday again. You'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Durchfahren

It was fun zipping through the U-Bahn stations on the open train. I got a funny reflection of us passing through Richard Wagner Platz. For more take a look at Weekend Reflections. Happy Friday!

Sunset on the canal

The clouds catch the last of the light as the sun goes down in Berlin. Hope you have a great weekend planned and enjoy every last day of this fantastic summer! More skies can be found at Skywatch.

Sorry I haven't been posting here much. Work keeps me so busy, but I am keeping active on Facebook and Instagram. I'm also posting more regularly on my travel blog. 

PS: Happy Bastille Day to my French readers!

Fenced off

I found this entrance to a beautiful, private courtyard while strolling through the neighborhoods near where I work recently. There was something really inviting about the trees on the inside. I was very tempted to enter and see more! 

Happy Friday everyone! I am back from a week in Rotterdam. What a great city to visit with such wonderfully friendly people. I am very much looking forward to relaxing this weekend though. But before then, don't forget to take a look at Good Fences.

PS: Take a look at Halcyon Travels for some shots of beautiful Rotterdam.

Pop up lab

I was taking a walk during my lunch break last week when I came upon the Pop Up Lab. It was a display of some of the technologies that are being developed in Berlin, both by established companies and start-ups.

No technology show would be complete without the ubiquitous 3-D printer. This one was working on a laundry basket.

There was also a funny robot who dropped a box with a little prize inside right in front of you.

It contained a small, but tasty, treat! For more signs, don't forget to take a look at Signs, Signs.

Silhouettes on Ku'damm

Hope you've got a lovely weekend ahead of you, it's another long one for us! If it doesn't rain and storm, I'll be on the golf course. For more skies, take a look at Skywatch.

PS: Happy Friday the 13th! Hope you bought some lottery tickets.

Sylt bear

This Buddy Bear represents the German island of Sylt. It's located in the North Sea and is a very popular summer destination for well-heeled Germans. There's even a salad dressing named for the place (though I don't like it much). 

Today is a holiday in Germany and I spent most of it playing in a golf tournament. Unfortunately, it's back to the grind for me tomorrow, but at least this little break has made the week a bit shorter.

Living together in perfect harmony

If tea and coffee drinkers can come together, that's already a step towards world peace. I must admit, I love a good paper shop and this one looked very intriguing. It was just closing the evening when I happened past, but I will have to come back for a look inside. Don't forget to stop by Signs, Signs.

A trip to the Monkey Bar

Last week I made a trip to the Monkey Bar with some colleagues that were visiting from our US offices. It's a very popular cocktail bar here in Berlin, but I thought we wouldn't have trouble getting in before 6.30pm. I was wrong. 

We only waited 10 - 15 minutes though. The views at the top over the monkey cages at the Berlin Zoo were worth it and the drinks were also surprisingly good, if expensive. I'm ready to monkey around again anytime! For more signs, take a look at Signs. Signs.

Upside down, inside out?

Here's a funny bear for you! He's called the Pablo bear after none other than Pablo Picasso. I found him outside the Europa Center. He was designed by German artist Jurgen Wolke. Another one for the Buddy Bear archives. More signs can be found at Signs, Signs.

Spirals

I just love photographing spiral staircases. Luckily, Berlin has no short supply of them! This one has a special touch of elegance to me and I think it looks great in black and white (even in color, it didn't look much different). I'm linking up with Tuesday Treasures today, stop by to take a look at more interesting things from around the world.

PS: There's more Alsatian glory at Halcyon Travels.

Hall of mirrors

There's also a beautiful Hall of Mirrors inside the Schloss Charlottenburg. I was lucky to visit on a beautiful, sunny October day, perfect for catching some reflections of the windows that give out onto the gardens I showed you yesterday.

Though most of the pieces and decorations in the Schloss are not original, they have tried to source items that are from that era. I really loved this beautiful chandelier.

It also looks neat from below. Hope you have enjoyed this week's tour through the Schloss Charlottenburg. Happy Friday everyone! And don't forget to take a look at Weekend Reflections.

Schloss gardens

Looking back at how green the gardens were in October makes me long even more for the beginnings of spring. The gardens at the Schloss Charlottenburg were inspired by those at Versailles. There is some similarity, don't you think? Though certainly, nowhere near as grand!

Signs of wealth

Beautiful details abound in every room of Schloss Charlottenburg. The Emperors and Royals  who called this place home certainly didn't spare anything when it came to showing their wealth.

The horse crest seen here represents the coat of arms of the Duchy of Saxony, which was made up of the present day states of Saxony, Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. The crest was probably added after the marriage of Augusta of Saxony to Wilhelm I of Prussia to symbolize the unity of the two German states. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

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.

Merry Christmas!

This creche is from the Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market. It's one of the biggest and prettiest in Berlin and they always have a nice manger scene. These figures were handmade by a local chainsaw artist. I always wonder how they can get so much detail with a chainsaw.

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas, hopefully surrounded by friends, family and those you love.

Hark the herald angels sing!

I really liked these angels that decorated the Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market this year. They're quite simple, but make a big impact, especially in the dark!

My best wishes to you this holiday season!

Selfie in black and white

Käthe Kollwitz only started sculpting during the later part of her life, but her works from this period have become some of her most well-known. In both her painting and sculpting, she did a lot of self portraits. This is one example that was on display at the Kollwitz Museum here in Berlin. The collection is small, but the museum is definitely worth visiting, if you're ever in the city.

PS: Don't forget to take a look at Halcyon Travels for more from my trip to Israel.