Anne Frank

A likeness of Anne Frank is on the wall just outside the Anne Frank center here in Berlin. I love the joy in her eyes and smile, although we all know she came to a tragic end. It's Monday and you'll find more murals here.

Remembered

This is a memorial to Georg Elser, the lesser-known attempted assassin of Adolf Hitler. A German biopic on Elser came out a few years ago and I recently watched it. I had heard of the man before, but his attempt on Hitler's life has just never been as widely publicized as von Stauffenburg.

This message can be found just steps away from Elser's profile. It reads, "that the conditions in Germany could only be changed by eliminating the current leader." True words... More signs can be found at Signs, Signs.

Tag der Deutschen Einheit

Today is German Unity Day, and I don't think there's any better way to celebrate on this blog than with a look at some of the artwork from the East Side Gallery. When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, international artists were invited to come paint messages of peace on this piece of inner wall which remains on the border of Kreuzberg/Friedrichshein. The section that was painted is the actual "East" side of the wall. In the divided days, no one on that side would have been able to get close enough to touch the wall, let alone paint it. The murals are now a protected landmark and some of them are undergoing refurbishment. As always, you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Signs of the old days

I was passing through Checkpoint Charlie with my camera recently and snapped these signs.

It's hard to imagine two Germanys and two Berlins, but it really wasn't so long ago. Take a look at Signs, Signs for more signs from around the world.

Spy bridge

Here's a look at the Glienicke Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Spies. During the Cold War, spies were traded from East to West and vice versa right here above the Havel river. It's pretty amazing sometimes to live in a city with so much history.

A look at Spandau

Here's a look at a model of modern-day Spandau from the Heimat section of the museum. I always find it interesting to see a city on a scale like this, though the Citadel is not included. 

Spandau used to be a separate city from Berlin, until it was incorporated in the 1920s. It has historically been a site for manufacturing and industry, but there were a few surprising facts I learned from touring the museum.

Spandau was once an important center for film and television work. This car and motorcycle were used in filming. The popular German/French actress Romy Schneider filmed a few movies on a soundstage in Spandau.

This red device is an old fire alarm with a picture of the Spandau fire brigade behind it. As Spandau has traditionally been a center of industry, having a modern and responsive fire service was especially important to the city.

Lastly, a bit of the darker side of Spandau's history. After the Nuremburg trials, seven high-profile inmates, known as the Spandau seven, were sent to the Spandau Prison (which is not part of the Citadel). The prison was guarded on a rotating schedule by the Aliies. Above is a picture of the changing of the guard along with a hat from each of the Allies uniforms. 

In 1987 the Spandau Prison was destroyed after the last remaining inmate, Rudolf Hess, died. (There is still controversy as to whether his death was suicide or murder.) City leaders did not want the site to become a neo-nazi shrine and a shopping mall was built in its place.

I hope you've enjoyed the tour so far. Believe it or not, there's still more! Tomorrow we'll take a look at the Julius Tower and get a view over Spandau.

The Prussian Eagle and other things

The Zitadelle Spandau has become a repository for relics from the Prussian days. Before Germany was a federal republic, it was divided into kingdoms and duchies. Prussia was one of the bigger and more powerful of them. The Prussians rulers were known for their political savvy and built their empire over the years through both marriage and military means.

Unfortunately, the Prussian history is linked with military aggression and a monarchy who was out of touch with the people. For this reason, many of the old busts and statues of Prussian rulers were removed from their public places. You can see some of them here at the Citadel along with many other historical items, like this Eagle of the Prussian empire.

I don't recall the historical significance of this desk, but I like the way the light is hitting it, making the wood seem to glow.

This gun and the accompanying papers reveal the fate of military deserters.

Lastly, it's hard for me to resist a shot through a doorway, especially when the light is so perfect. Hope you've enjoyed the tour so far, I'll show some of the Heimatmuseum of Spandau tomorrow. Until then, there are more signs at Signs, Signs.

The one-eyed count

Meet Count Rochus Graf zu Lynar, the Italian architect who designed and built Zitadelle Spandau. Though he looks like he's winking in this portrait, it's just the one-eyed count's way of saying hello. He lost an eye in the Battle of Saint Quentin in France, after which he concentrated his efforts on other pursuits, like building fortresses. He was a shrewd builder and planner - the Zitadelle is built on the confluence of the rivers Havel and Spree and has four tall bastions that make it impossible for anyone to approach the site without being seen. 

The Museum inside is part showcase for all things Prussian and part Heimatmuseum (hometown museum for Spandau). 

Here's a selection of ceremonial helmets that were worn by elite members of the Prussian Military. There were quite a few of them on display.

Some had interesting symbols.

Others were over-the-top ornate. It couldn't have been very comfortable to wear such headgear, I'm sure it is very heavy.

I hope you'll stop by again tomorrow. We'll skip the rest of the military stuff and take a look at some of the more interesting items in the Prussian section of the museum. I'm linking this post with Tuesday Treasures.

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.

West vs East

These signs were a familiar sight to anyone who grew up in West Berlin. These days, you mainly see them at history exhibits like this one at a shopping center on Potsdamer Platz that showed photos and memorabilia from the divided days. It is quite an interesting display and it comes back from time to time. If you'd like to see more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Remember

A cross memorializes victims at the Wall Memorial near Bernauer Straße. Such a strange time in history and it wasn't really so long ago. I'm linking this one with Tuesday Treasures.

Horse and rider

May I introduce you to Friedrich Wilhelm, also known as The Great Elector. He was the ruler of Prussia from 1640 until his death in 1688. He was a great military leader and political strategist, as well as a staunch supporter of the protestant church. His likeness can be seen all around Berlin, but this statue is particularly notable as it stands in front of the Schloss Charlottenburg. 

I was lucky to get this shot on a blue-sky day and you can see more skies of all kinds at Skywatch. 

Memorial

A memorial to victims of the National Socialist regime near the Reichstag. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Looking through

A look through the gate at the Old Jewish Cemetery in Berlin. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

World peace

Do you ever think we'll see world peace? I am doubtful. For the people living under the Communist regime in the DDR, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Iron Curtain was already a kind of peace. This is a detail from a peace column found in the former East Berlin. I'm linking it up with Tuesday Treasures.

Cemetery gate

Here's a look at the entrance to Weißensee Cemetery. I just love the intricate work on the wrought iron gate. As you come inside, you see the inscribed stone that I showed you earlier in the week.

There are also a number of other memorials, like this one to victims of the National Socialist regime who were tried at killed at the Plötzensee Prison in Berlin. 

There was also this more general memorial made up of a marble star of David and a myriad of white stones. Very appropriate for a Jewish cemetery. 

I am so glad Friday is finally here. I've been feeling under the weather this week and there's a lot going on with my new job, so I'm ready for a few days of rest. What about you, do you have any big plans for the weekend, or are you going to just take it easy? Whatever you have on your calendar, I hope it's fun! And don't forget to take a look at Good Fences for more gates and fences.

A look around

As I explained earlier this week, the cemetery was left to ruin behind the Iron Curtain. There are a few reasons for the decay, one being there were not a lot of Jewish people left in Berlin after the war. Survivors mainly went to live in the US, Israel or other countries, so there was no Jewish community to maintain the graves. The other reason is practicing any type of religion was generally frowned upon in the communist GDR.

Today volunteers from Berlin's newly thriving Jewish community are working on restoring the graves and bringing some order to the wilderness.

I really enjoyed walking around through the older part of the cemetery and just taking a look at all of the names. I was also happy to see there are new burial areas, so these sacred grounds are being used once more. I'll show you some more of the cemetery tomorrow, but until then, you'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Kloster gate

I showed you the U-Bahn station Klosterstrasse last October and I tried to get back in November before I started my new job, but, unfortunately, I learned the cloister ruins are closed during the winter months. However, I did get this picture of the gate and a statue running for freedom behind it. I hope to get back during the open months to get a better look inside. Until then, I hope you enjoy this peek inside and you'll find more gates and fences at Good Fences.

All aboard!

This bus (a 1980s vintage), was running on the current 100 line - Alexander Platz to Zoologischer Garten, making it a true East to West line.

This is also another Einmannwagen, the driver both drives and sells tickets. I hope you've enjoyed this little trip back in time. I loved seeing all the old buses and I hope the BVG will do this again! 

Line 69

Sadly, the bus line 69 doesn't run anymore, but we were lucky enough to get the full experience last October.

This bus is a 1960s vintage with the entrance in the back. A BVG employee would stand at the back of the bus and sell tickets, leaving the driver free to concentrate on the road. This particular bus was sponsored by Bodenheim, apparently it was Berlin's biggest carpet seller at the time. You'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.