Hallesches Tor

Hallesches Tor is not one of the most beautiful U-Bahn stations by any means, but being right next to a canal gives it a certain cachet. The weekend is finally here and you'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

Deep thoughts

I found this mural inside the Prinzenstrasse U-Bahn station. I love the style and it definitely got me thinking! Sorry I've been away lately, things have been stressful in my real life but hopefully things are evening out a bit now. A new week has started and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Human rights

 

The entire Declaration of Human Rights is displayed here on the walls of the Westhafen U-Bahn Station. 

 

I love the way some of the sections are traditional "text" shapes while others take on a more whimsical look. I've never had time to read the whole thing, but maybe I'll do that one of these days! Stop by Monday Mural for more.

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!

Under the arches

It was such fun exploring underground. The architecture of the tunnels is really fascinating, it's just a shame most people never get to see this side of the city.

Tunnel Tour

I finally got to do the U-Bahn Tunnel Tour back in June after waiting a bit more than two years! You have to sign up early in the year to get booked as they are limited in space and only run a few months of the year. I was actually scheduled to go last October, but due to technical difficulties, it was cancelled (the first time that ever happened to a Tunnel Tour, apparently).

In any case, it was worth the wait. You ride through the U-Bahn tunnels on this open train. It was so much fun! I took a lot of pictures, but not many are actually worth showing, but hopefully I can dig out a few. Don't forget to check out Signs, Signs for your Wednesday fix.

Windows and bench

I was traveling through Schlesisches Tor station recently and just had to stop for a photo. The windows and the bench made for such a perfect scene. Hope you agree! For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

PS: Don't forget to stop by Halcyon Travels for a look at my recent trip to Israel.

The Telespargel

Being greeted by the Telespargel against a blue sky is a wonderful sight when climbing out of the U-Bahn. I tried many different angles, but I liked this one the best. There are ruins of an actual cloister at Klosterstrasse. I should get back there one of these days to get some shots of it. Until then, you'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

ETA: The real name of the structure is simply the TV Tower. However, due to its shape, many people call it the Telespargel (Tele-asparagus).

Babylonian palms

A line of Babylonian palms can be found at the entrance to the Klosterstraße U-Bahn station. It's a little something unexpected! For more murals, check out Monday Mural.

Although the palms have a very Art Deco appearance, the design actually comes from those found in King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian palace circa 604 - 562 BC! The tiles were installed in the Berlin U-Bahn in 1913 by architect Alfred Grenader.

Bismarckstrasse

Bismarckstrasse station on the U2 is filled with tropical murals. I especially love this one with the hummingbird - the train car in the background is a nice touch! 

Hope you had a nice weekend. We had out-of-town guests and it was such a good time showing them around Berlin. It was also a good opportunity to restock my photo archives! Until then, you can see more murals at Monday Mural.

On the tracks

Looking across the railway bridge at the Gleisdreieck station. There's construction on the U2 at the moment, so I've been spending a lot of time at this station. I think the structure looks nice in black and white - I hope you agree!

PS: I have yet another phone interview with one of the "Big Bosses" in the US on Wednesday and if that goes well, there is only one more interview. Keep those fingers crossed and thumbs held. The positive energy is working!

Tierpark bear

 

Finding a Buddy Bear is always such a treat! This colorful model can be found in  Hauptbahnhof. He was painted in 2006 to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of Berlin's Tierpark, not to be confused with the Zoological Garten.

Decorative mural

I think it's nice when boxes and buildings are painted to make them a little less dull. This is a utility building that stands on Breitenbachplatz, a small square with a U-Bahn station of the same name nearby. Interestingly, though the mural states this is Wilmersdorf the Wikipedia entry for the square says it is in Steglitz-Zehlendorf and the entry for the U-Bahn station says this is Dahlem. A mystery for the ages! It's Monday again and you can find more murals here.

PS: For those who are interested, I saw Mozart's The Magic Flute this weekend at the Komische Oper. It was a wonderful production done in a 1920s, silent film style. You can read more about it here or see pictures here.

Delicious bench

I have to admit, I love Ritter Sport chocolate. Finding this bench at Berlin Hauptbahnhof was definitely a sweet surprise. I hope you are having a delicious weekend as well. Last night's opera was spectacular - I love living in a city where so much creativity abounds!

Looking out

Even the U-Bahn station for Rathaus Schöneberg is beautiful. Especially on a sunny day when the sun shines through the windows. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Under construction

The Lego Man is advertising construction work on line 2 of the U-Bahn line and I know how he feels! Luckily, my construction will soon be coming to an end. In just one week, I'll be moving into a newly renovated apartment. I'm SO EXCITED! The only bad news is, I probably won't have internet right away, so my blogging will be limited. Hopefully everything will be sorted out quickly though and it will nice to celebrate the holidays in our own home.

I know this is really more of a poster, but I hope it will be acceptable for today's Monday Mural. Don't forget to stop by and take a look at other murals from around the world.

Owl on the U-Bahn

I found this cute little guy looking down at me in the Schloßstraße U-Bahn station. The mix of polka dots and stripes is also eye catching! It's Monday again and you can see more murals on Monday Mural.

Underground

A look at the inside of the Märkisches Museum station. I love the art on the walls and the lamps! For more signs, head to Signs, Signs.

Green station

Here's a look inside Krumme Lanke station. It's the terminus on the southern end of the line, just after Oncle Toms Hütte that I showed you yesterday. This station is also part of the original line which opened in 1929, although it had to be rebuilt in 1989 as it was in poor condition. However, it was done in the same style as the original. Like yesterday's station, I think it looks rather modern. But I guess some things are timeless - like fantastic windows that let in lots of light!

Here's a quick look at the station from outside. It was designed by architect Alfred Grenander who is also known for his work on the London Underground. This is the end of my tour through Line 3 for now, but there are many other nice stations on the line that I'm sure will be featured at some other time.

More modern

These stairs take you down to the train platform in Oncle Toms Hütte station (yes there is a station called Uncle Tom's Cabin, click on the link to learn more). Although this station was originaly opened in 1929, the lighting fixtures and bricks seem more modern to me.

There are a few stations that are "aboveground" on the southern end of line 3 and this is one of them. Here you can see the fantastic glass ceiling that brings natural light onto the platform. It's a nice place to wait on a sunny day!