One Berlin

I was out and about around Bernauer Strasse recently. The street was a major dividing point in the old East and West days. Homes and churches were torn down here because they stood in the way of The Wall. Today there is a Wall Memorial that runs along a long stretch of the street. The Memorial shows what life was like in the divided city through photos and personal accounts.

Bernauer Strasse was one of the few places where Easterns and Westerners could "meet up" again. Here we see a mother and father lifting their twin babies high in the air so that family in the East would get to know them. 

A Western couple was smart enough to bring a ladder, so they would have a better view of their loved ones in the East. I find it so hard to imagine what life must have been like for people then, and it's not even that long ago - only twenty-five years! 

It's Monday again and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Fire brigade

I love the bright red garage doors on this firehouse, but the cyclist crossing my path really makes the shot. Hope you are having a great weekend so far!

A tree grows on Potsdamer Platz

A look at both old and new reflected in a small pool on Potsdamer Platz. It's finally Friday again, do you have any big plans for the weekend? You know where to find me! I've got to make the most of this nice fall weather and get some golfing in while I can. If you like reflections, you'll find more at Weekend Reflections.

On the water

As I said yesterday, there are many ways to enjoy your time on the Spree. Perhaps one of these canoes strikes your fancy?

A paddleboat is another fun way to get out on the water.

Or there's always the paddleboard - you can always take a little break if it gets too tiring. How would you like to spend your summer day on the Spree?

Other side of the bridge

I showed you this bridge from the other side a few weeks ago. Now here's a look from the Insel der Jugend out across the Spree to the mainland. While you're on the island, you can enjoy a coffee or a snack here at the beachside cafe.

If you're feeling more sporty, you can rent a canoe or if you're really adventurous, maybe a paddleboard. For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

The monumental monument

As promised, here is a look at the Soviet War Memorial. I hope the people and the little biker give you an idea of the scale of this sculpture - it's massive!

The sculpture was created by Soviet artist Yevgeny Vuchetich and alledgedly represents the true store of a Soviet soldier who risked heavy machine gun fire to save a young German child during the Battle of Berlin. In reality, the Soviets ransacked the city of Berlin when they marched in, raiding homes and businesses for anything of value. Rape and abuse was also rampant during that time and it is said there is a whole generation of children who were conceived during that violent time.

Here's a look back on the rest of the memorial park from atop the plinth of the statue. The whole thing is a little too grandiose and pompous for my taste. I know bad things happen during wars, but it's hard for me to accept this view of history. I'm still glad I made the trip out to see it though.

Memorial mural

We are back to Treptower Park and the Soviet War Memorial. This mosaic is actually inside the monument (which really is monumental) itself. I'll show it to you tomorrow. Until then, you can find more murals at Monday Mural.

Painters reflections

If you need some painting done, Erez is the man to call! 

I'm out of town for the weekend and won't be posting or commenting. Hope you've got exciting plans. I'm playing in a golf tournament in Nuremberg and then heading to Oktoberfest in Munich. Until then, you'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

Rose garden

I recently took a walk through Treptower Park, mainly to see the Soviet War Memorial, but also to just get a feel for this area of the city (I rarely venture out this far east). There was a lovely, little rose garden within the park marked by this sign.

Though beauties like these don't need signs at all! In case you do need signs, you'll find more at Signs, Signs.

Marble gallery

When you walk into the Altes Museum, you come directly into this domed area which is encircled with marble statues of varying ages and subjects. I just loved the way they were presented here. I hope you've enjoyed this short tour of the museum, I'm going to move on to other subjects this week. Although I might come back at sometime in the future as I still have a few nice shots from here.

King of hearts

I found the mural on this piece of the Berlin Wall rather intriguing. Is he the king of hearts or volleyball - or both?! Something to ponder this Monday. You can find more murals here.

Deus ex machina

We are still at the Altes Museum. Today's work is entitled Medea Sarcophagus. It was found near Porta San Lorenzo in Rome and dates back to around 140 - 150 AD. Here is more about the piece:

The relief shows four scenes from the Medea myth following the homonymous tragedy by the Athenian poet Euripides. Topics from Greek mythology were a popular motif in Rome for sarcophagus reliefs, especially when the depicted, as is the case here, wedding and death, happiness and sorrow of life.

Refurbished colossal

Here's one of the beautiful marbles from the museum's collection. It is entitled Colossal Statue with Cornucopia, Snake and Portrait of Antonious. It was acquired by the museum in Rome in the late 1700s, but dates back to around 130 - 140 AD. Here is more information on the work:

Head and statue are ancient but were combined as recently as in the eighteenth century. The portrait depicts Emperor Hadrian's lover Antonious. The attributes allow the statue to be interpreted as Agathos Daimon (protective spirit). Restored with support from ZDF and the Lions Club Berlin-Alexanderplatz.

Guardian for the afterlife

This Funerary Lion was found somewhere around Athens and dates back to approximately 320 BC. Here's a little more information on the piece:

This large lion either marked a grave as an individual monument or, together with a counterpart, was a corner figure of a monumental funerary precinct in late classical Athens. As a symbolic guardian, the lion grants magical protection from grave robbers. Its artistic quality is indicative of the commissioner's wealth.

Free at last!

The Altes Museum is, as its name implies, Berlin's oldest museum. The collection is made up of mainly old Greek and Roman marbles. I enjoyed my stroll through antiquity and will share a few pieces with you this week.

This work is called Funerary Relief of Publius Aiedius and his Wife Aiedia. It was found in Rome and dates back to around 30 B.C. Here's a little more information:

This type of relief belonged to funerary buildings of freed slaves who were given civic rights. Clothing (toga) and clasped hands (wedding ritual) proudly demonstrate the acquired social status. The realistic rendering of the portrait is a traditional symbol of dignity and virtue.

Hope you've enjoyed the tour so far. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.