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!

Shadowy designs

Interesting designs seen on a sunny day at the Marheineke Markthalle in Kreuzberg. For more shadowy shots, head over to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Egyptian influence

You'll find some visitors from North Africa in the Langhans Hall inside Schloss Bellevue. This room is used to receive visitors and where new ambassadors are formally received. 

I hope you've enjoyed this short tour of the Schloss Bellevue. If you're interested in seeing more, there is a brochure you can download here.

Golden room

This is the grand ballroom where state dinners are held. At one end of the room is this beautiful, golden painting; the other end has a similar piece with more pinkish tones. Both were grand pieces of art which fit the room. They were painted by German artist Gotthard Graubner.

Crystal

One of the beautiful grand chandeliers from inside Schloss Bellevue. Unfortunately, none of the original furnishings or decorative items survived the war. Luckily other palaces and museums from around the country have loaned items from the period.

A look inside

The Schloss Bellevue has only been used by Germany's President since 1994. During the divided years, the President worked at the Hammerschmidt Villa in Bonn (the former capitol of West Germany). The palace was originally used as a hunting lodge by the Prussian royalty. It suffered quite a bit of damage during WWII, but luckily was preserved.

Today the President of Germany has his offices here. He also hosts state dinners and other events for foreign dignitaries onsite. Each elite visitor signs a special page in the guest book. The President of Slovenia had just visited a few days before I was there.

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!

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.

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.

Berlin calling

I know this isn't really a sign, but I saw this German-themed pillow recently and thought it was so cute and unique! Unfortunately, it's a one-of-a-kind piece, but perhaps I can convince someone to make me something similar. To get your Wednesday fix of signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Open gate

I found this fantastic doorway on a recent walk through my neighborhood. I love how the slightly open gate seems to just invite one in. What really caught my eye is the face and the other intricate details just above the door. A real treasure, and you'll find more at Tuesday Treasures.

July theme day: Look down

If you keep your eyes to the ground when walking through Bebelplatz near the Gendarmenmarkt, you won't be able to miss the Memorial to the Nazi Book Burning. The empty bookshelves represent the universities and libraries that were emptied of all "un-German" works and publicly burned in the square on May 10, 1933. 

I took this photo in the evening when the room is brightly lit and creates a stark contrast to the black night. The memorial was created by Israeli artist, Micha Ullman. It's a stark reminder of those terrible times. As people would later learn, the words of Herman Hesse rang true, "Where they burn books, they will ultimately also burn people." 

Another month has rolled around. Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian readers! Don't forget to take a look here for more interpretations on this month's theme.

PS: For the moment, I'm posting more often at Halcyon Travels. Stop by and take a look!

More eagles

I do love the German eagles, even if they're on weapons of war. 

You have to admit, these canons have their own artistic merit.

They certainly don't make them like that anymore! More treasures abound at Tuesday Treasures.

Renaissance fence

This fence is outside the Spandau Zitadelle. i'll be taking you on a tour of the Renaissance fortress next week, so I hope you'll come back. Until then, take a look at Good Fences. 

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

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.

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 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.

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.