We knew today was going to be a "heavy" day, particularly as far as WWII monuments go, so it was always fun to see the ever present Travi, now a cult car - or at least it is as far as tourists are concerned. There are many outlets specialising in renting out these cars, and seemingly making a good living. It was amusing to see convoys of these cars driving around, but we were not tempted.
The classic Trabant (“Travi”)Angela was very keen to see the Bundestag and its new glass dome, so we made our way straight there, only stopping off at the Brandenburg Gate to take a few photos.
First view of the Brandenburg Gate
We arrived quite early at the Bundestag as Angela knew that tickets for the day would be gone by mid morning. However, it seemed that we needed to register first, although there were no signs indicating this. We eventually found out where to register and get tickets, but we had to brave the sharp tongue of the lady at the tourist information centre first. She was right up there as one of the rudest people we have met so far, but we put this down to her being brought up in the East and having that particular brand of officious customer service (a pure assumption of course). Unfortunately, although it was still early morning, we had by this time missed all the tickets made available for that day. We had to be content with an 09:30 start for tomorrow, but hey, at least they were issued free, so that was a bonus! We did manage to get a couple of photos of the outside, including the Monument to the 96 members of the Reichstag of the Weimar republic murdered by the National Socialists.
Memorial murdered Reichstag members
The Bundestag “To the German People” The famous Norman Foster Bundestag dome
After getting the tickets we took a short walk through part of the Tiergarten. This is where we stumbled upon the soviet war memorial. It was to commemorate 5000 of the 80,000 Soviets who had died during the struggle for Berlin. It was built in the British sector shortly after WWII and has in recent years been a source of contention.
Roland wanted to visit the holocaust memorial which was close by. It is rather an austere monument consisting of 2711 huge dark grey concrete blocks measuring 2.38 m (7 ft 10 in) long X 0.95 m (3 ft 1 in) wide - varying in height. Neither of us were sure what to make of it. There was also an exhibition (with the inevitable queues). The exhibition was very moving and consisted of personal stories and photographs of whole families. This device gave one a connection with each of the individuals and their families and was very poignant. One was saddened when their ultimate fate was finally revealed. We were both very moved by part of the exhibition where the names of all the known Jewish holocaust victims are read out one after the other. It is said that it takes 7 years 11 months and 27 days to repeat.
Soviet war memorial Holocaust Memorial
In passing we also went by the car-park that is all that marks the place of Hitlers bunker in Berlin. It is hard to think of a more unassuming place, but there is an air about the place and it still chills the heart just thinking about the horrors perpetrated by the man that once walked on that spot.
The last place we visited was the site of the Gestapo headquarters in Berlin. It is now laid bare and only a gravel plot remains with an outdoor poster exhibition running alongside and a few remaining pieces of the wall, which speaks for itself.
Carpark and site of Hitler’s bunker
Part of the Berlin wall
erection started in 13 August 1961
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