Part of the old wall
Showing the wall, on the east side there were mines and killing strips, tank traps etc. on the west side the houses went right up to the wall
Sign where Check Point Charlie used to divide the city and allow passage between the two sides when required.
It was interesting being able to see the two sides of the wall, the former East Berlin and the affluent West Berlin. There are not a lot of differences that presently stand out, however there are many areas that you know you are in the former East Berlin as many of the buildings and infrastructure is not in a high level of repair. Many of the apartment buildings are currently going through a re-vitalization but there are many that are still below the normal German standard.
Many of the people that we met who were our age wanted to tell us stories of what it was like before the wall came down. We met many interesting people and heard some interesting stories.
One particular restaurant owner that we met and went to her restaurant twice while we were there, showed us old photos of the city before the war, during the war, during the time the city was divided and since the re-amalgamation of the two halves of the city.
Brandenburg Gate
Reichstag (German Parliament)
The Cathedral, called the Berliner Dom, was a wonderful visit it was very grand and the stained glass windows and organ were phenomenal. We spent a few hours visiting the main portion and the large crypt below the church that houses many of the former Royal Germanic Rulers including their wives and children.
Cathedral "Berliner Dom"
Alter "Berliner Dom"
We completely enjoyed visiting Berlin on the whole most of the people were very friendly and obliging, it is easy to travel around the city as it has both a modern subway system as well as a very user friendly bus system that is very efficient.
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