Here and There Blog

Two free sites that are close to the Brandenburg Gate. The Soviet Memorial is an open structure with a back courtyard that has stories of the soldiers killed in 1945 in Berlin.  Keith at the Soviet Memorial.  The Holocaust Memorial is dedicated to the murdered Jews in WWII.  Below is an information center with the history and background on the Holocaust. The center was closed during my visit but provides the story that balances the emptiness of the structures. The story can be found here

285 steps to get this view and we felt all of them as we climbed up! The Victory Column in Berlin is a central landmark and can be viewed from many vantage points. Inside is an exhibit about the history of the column and what the pictures represent.  Lady Victory is one of the few women in the mosiac.  Perched on top.  To get the whole column in one photo, go to one of sides of the roundabout.

Building wall near Checkpoint Charlie Checkpoint and a snack if you are so inclined. I recommend the Checkpoint Charlie museum. The exhibits that were my favorite were the ones that told the stories of people who escaped and made it to freedom, those who were shot and killed in the run, and those who were caught and sent to prison. Click here for the link.  Brandenburg Gate. The "must take" photo.  Looking at the gate from the road. The tree lights wer starting to go up for the Christmas Market.

The Berliner Dom has it all. For 7 euros you get to go inside and see the dome artwork, a massive pipe organ, then walk up 267 stairs to the top and end with a trip to the crypt below. Perfect!  From close up and reflecting in the water  Art inside  Looking up at the dome  The pipe organ. Tomorrow the view from the top. Click here for info on the Dom.