Berlin Mitte

Rotes Rathaus (Red Cityhall)


Rotes Rathaus (Red Cityhall)

This was our first Berlin vor Ort trip, a visit to the Mitte (middle) of Berlin. It was a nice orientation trip to get us familiar with some major Berlin landmarks.

One of them you see in the background, the (in)famous TV tower built by the GDR in 1969. It is 365m tall, and according to my Berlin guidebook, a great place to catch a skyview of Berlin on the observation deck or while having a drink in the Telecafe. It still is used to host radio and TV stations. Unfortunately, I think it has to be one of the ugliest Berlin landmarks as well.

The Marienkirche. A 700-year old Gothic church. It is quite beautiful still, despite some damage.

One of the lovlier church organs that I've seen in a while. P.S. A tip for the visitor, photos cost 2 DM to take.

Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain, 1891) by Reinhold Begas. The female figures represent the rivers Rhine, Elbe, Oder and Weichsel.

The old armory.

A nice view down the Spree river towards Gendarmenmarkt.

A horseman bravely battles a hideous dragon.

State council building. You can always tell what's a major attraction whenever you see a tour bus...

Konzerthaus (concert hall) in Gendarmenmarkt Square. In front is a statue of the poet Friedrich Schiller.

Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) is currently a museum about German history.

Franzosischer Dom (French Cathedral). Once the main church for French Hugenots who fled here for refuge.

Lafayette Department store on Friedrich Strasse. A beautiful french department store with high elegance (and high prices to match). Here is the glass center of the store that looks down into the cafe floor.

Same glass design, but looking up through the roof to the sky.

Delicious fresh baked goods. Everything is so yummy looking!

After some debate, I choose this wonderful pastry in front. Looks almost too good to eat, but too tasty not to! =P

	The Marienkirche. A 700-year old Gothic church. It is quite beautiful still, despite some damage.
One of the lovlier church organs that I've seen in a while. P.S. A tip for the visitor, photos cost 2 DM to take.
	Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain, 1891) by Reinhold Begas. The female figures represent the rivers Rhine, Elbe, Oder and Weichsel.
The old armory.
	A nice view down the Spree river towards Gendarmenmarkt.
A horseman bravely battles a hideous dragon.
	State council building. You can always tell what's a major attraction whenever you see a tour bus...
Konzerthaus (concert hall) in Gendarmenmarkt Square. In front is a statue of the poet Friedrich Schiller.
	Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) is currently a museum about German history.
Franzosischer Dom (French Cathedral). Once the main church for French Hugenots who fled here for refuge.
	Lafayette Department store on Friedrich Strasse. A beautiful french department store with high elegance (and high prices to match). Here is the glass center of the store that looks down into the cafe floor.
Same glass design, but looking up through the roof to the sky.
	Delicious fresh baked goods. Everything is so yummy looking!
After some debate, I choose this wonderful pastry in front. Looks almost too good to eat, but too tasty not to! =P