Berlin heute: Schoneberg

Showing posts with label Schoneberg. Show all posts

Eye on you

I get the feeling I'm being watched sometimes on the streets of Berlin. More signs of all kinds can be found here.

I found this cool cat in Schöneberg, just around the corner from where the long-awaited Museum of Contemporary Urban Art is set to open up this September. It is atop my list of places to visit once the doors open. Until then, you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Bike n' box

I found this painted utility box on a recent walk in Schoneberg. There weren't any schools nearby, so not sure why the naive, childlike style, but I like it! More murals can be found at Monday Mural. Hope your week is off to a good start!

The people's thread

I recently found this craft shop with its colorful facade and funny name. Unfortunately, it was closed when I stopped by, but I hope to get back and see inside. Hope you had a great weekend. Don't forget to stop by Mural Monday!

Cool dude

Perhaps this is a self-portrait of the artist who painted this mural? He at least appears to be friendly with his big smile.

Here's a better look at the wall, it's really quite a large area! This one is on the side of a building near an S-Bahn station in Schoneberg. More murals can be found at Mural Monday.

PS: I'm posting more regularly on Halcyon Travels. Please stop by and take a look.

Chestnuts in bloom

I don't think the chestnuts have ever been prettier in Berlin. This one near Akazien Strasse is an especially fine example.

Der Platz

A few Sundays ago I made the trek to the Lidl at Inssbrucker Platz, only to find it closed. That particular Lidl was famous for being one of the few supermarkets that was allowed to open on Sundays. I don't know why it's not open anymore, but I ended up going to a store at Sudkreuz train station where I had to wait 10 minutes outside because the store was overcrowded. On the positive side of things, I did get a nice shot of the S-Bahn sign and the crest. I'm linking up with Signs, Signs.

PS: There's more of beautiful Colmar on Halcyon Travels.

Bayerisches Viertel

I was out and about recently trying to build up my archives a bit when I came across this large-scale mural near the Bayerischer Platz. It's a rendering of how the square looked in its heydey. Unfortunately, the decorative structures and fountains in the middle didn't survive the war and weren't rebuilt. It's still a fun neighborhood to explore though. It's Monday again and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Fall in Berlin

A look at the R udolph-Wilde Park in Schoneberg. I love it when the leaves start to turn.

Brand new

I got this drive-by shot of a large-scale mural in progress on Saturday. I was really intrigued with the work, so I went by again on Sunday to get a better shot.

You get a much better idea of the size of this mural - it's huge! I was also happy to see that the work has been signed. It's a piece by Maya Hayuk, an American mural artist famous for her interlocking color designs. I couldn't find a title, but I wonder if this mural has ties to Pride Week which kicked off this weekend in Berlin with a street festival just around the corner from this spot. Hope you've enjoyed seeing Berlin's newest mural, you'll find more at Monday Mural.

Willy-Brandt-Saal

I am afraid most people outside of Germany probably don't know Willy Brandt (although he did win a Nobel Peace Prize!). He was mayor of West Berlin when Kennedy made his famous speech here at the Rathaus Schöneberg and he also offered some inspiring words of his own (only his were in German). Brandt later served as Chancellor of West Germany under the Social Democratic party. He was loved by Berliners and the German people in general for his passion and integrity.

I think it's fitting the nicest room in City Hall is named for him. I just love those big windows and all the light. You can read more about Brandt by clicking on his name above, it's worth your time.

Smaller bell

It's not quite as big as the Freedom Bell, but it's just as important! I even got to test it out on my recent visit to Rathaus Schöneberg.

Here's how the Mayor's seat looks in color.

Little sign

I really didn't plan on spending so much time on Rathaus Schöneberg, but I just can't resist! Here's a little sign showing the name and party affiliation of the Council Member who normally occupies this seat. And yes, I did pick number forty-two for a reason. For bigger signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Something old

This old telephone is up in the bell tower of Rathaus Schoeneberg. According to our guide, it still works too! I will be away for a few days, but I have some posts set up to post automatically. I hope you enjoy.

Murals for freedom

Unfortunately there was not any information available onsite about these murals.

They flank the room where the signatures collected during the Crusade for Freedom are kept. It's Monday again and if you like murals you can see more of them at Monday Mural.

Crusade for freedom

As I explained yesterday, the Freedom Bell was paid for with donations from regular Americans who wanted to show their support for West Berliners. Much of the money was raised by school children who also collected signatures from people across the country under the guise of the Crusade for Freedom. You can read more about the Freedom Bell and see pictures of it being hoisted into place here.

The millions of American signatures collected during the Crusade now reside in this specially created room. The sign above reads, "Here lie the signatures of millions of American citizens that have signed to show their support for freedom."

Freiheitsglocke

We are finally to the best part of my visit to Rathaus Schöneberg, the Freedom Bell! This bell was a gift from the American people to show West Berliners they stood behind them in the fight for freedom against the communist East. It is inscribed with a quote from Lincoln's Gettysburg address, "That this world under God shall have a new birth of freedom."

Perhaps some of you even donated to the fund that went towards the purchase of this bell... I'd love to hear any personal stories.

Berlin heute