Line drawing

Remember I showed you some of the Berlin in Lights show a few weeks ago, well here is more! I really liked the way this effect makes the Berliner Dom looks like it was drawn onto the skyline with a pencil! 

In other news, Berlin Heute will be on hiatus until mid-January. I will be traveling through Southeast Asia for a few months. I am definitely ready for the adventure! Please check Halcyon Travels and my Facebook site for updates. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great holiday season and see you in the New Year!

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. 

Berliner Dom, beleuchtet

This week is a special time in Berlin, many monuments and important buildings are lit up with lights and animations. I braved the cold and caught a few last night. I'd like to get back and see some more before it's over this weekend, but it depends on the weather. For more special things from around the world, take a look at Tuesday Treasures.

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.

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.

On the Spree

I'm not sure what the significance of this old boat is, but it makes a nice focal point out on the Spree. I can't believe August is already halfway over. I don't want the summer to end yet! You'll find more treasures at Tuesday Treasures.

Patterns

I am definitely someone who likes to look up, but sometimes it pays off to look down. I love the patterns created by these cobblestones. And the specks of cherry snow make the scene even prettier. It's Tuesday again, don't forget to stop by Tuesday Treasures.

Spiraling up

It is perhaps difficult to tell from this photo, but this is the staircase that takes you to to the top of the Juliusturm at Zitadelle Spandau. It was interesting that the stairs were against the walls of the tower instead of being right in the center. It was quite the walk up, though I find coming down is often worse! For more treasures, take a look at Tuesday Treasures.

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 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.

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.

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.