Karin's Projects

Back to the Rathausbruecke bridging the Spree.

A huge building project is underway between Rathausbruecke and Karl-Liebknecht-Bruecke.

The palace of the Prussian Kings and the Kaiser stood here once. It was damaged in the war and later demolished by the communist regime for a prestige government building and a square for their parades.

After the fall of the Wall it was demolished because of its asbestos content.

The old Schloss is now being rebuilt and will be used as a new Art Centre.

At the Liebknechtbruecke, where the Berliner Dom stands the boulevard Unter den Linden, starts, leading to the Brandenburger Tor, the Brandenburg Gate.

The promenade along the Spree from Karl-Liebknecht Stasse/Unter den Linden to Friedrich Strasse is very popular for its cafes, bars, restaurants and museums, galleries.

The Dom, Alte and Neue National Gallerie, Bode-Museum, Pergamon-Museum, with its unique collection of treasures from the Antique are within easy walking distance to each other on the Museums Insel. The Spree on on side and Kupfergraben on the other side form this island in the city.

The DDR Museum with memorabilia from the East-German regime is nearby.

Crossing two more bridges, Friedrichsbruecke and Stadtbahnbruecke. The next bridge, the Monbijoubrueke is outstanding, it spans over the Spree and Kupfergraben, just where the two join again. And right there in the water stands the Bode-Museum.

One could spend days just exploring all these interesting places.

Along the Gartenufer you find always people relaxing, especially if the weather is fine, enjoying a

drink and music till late.

Walking under the Ebertsbruecke along the promenade, one gets soon to Friedrichstrasse,

at the Weidendammbruecke.

At the Stadtbahnbruecke is Friedrichsstrasse railway station

Right next to station entrance is the "Traenenpalast", the Palace of Tears, the infamous boarder crossing point during the time of the Wall, 1961 -1989, now a memorial to the once divided city.

Stadtbahnbruecke Friedrichstrasse is a rail and pedestrian bridge only.

Walking along the Reichstagufer it takes about 15 minute to get to the Reichstag.

On one side of the Spree stands the Reichstag, the German parliament,

and on the other side of the river are new government office buildings.

A walkway bridge connects the two government buildings housing the archive, library and convention rooms.This walkway has been nicknamed the ‘Gehobene-Beamten-Laufbahn’: fast-track career path for public servants!

When the Berlin Wall was put up by the East-German regime people tried to escape. Swimming through the river by night was a way out.

Along this stretch of the Spree many of the refugees were shot and never made it to freedom.
The crosses are a reminder of this terrible time.

It is nice to get real close to the water here.

Walking further along the Reichstagsufer, and under the Kronprinzenbruecke.

On the opposite side of the Spree, where once the Wall was, there is more building activity. All along the Wall houses were demolished, land was cleared so that the East-German guards could control the boarder.

And the good thing is that since the Wall came down not only new developments were possible, also lots of open green spaces could be created.

But today no chance to use the deck chairs along the waters edge, it rained again.

Gustav-Heienmann-Bruecke is a pedestrian bridge to the big new Hauptbahnhof. This is the main railway station where very fast trains connect Berlin to many cities in Europe.

Moltkebruecke is impressive. Old bridges have a special charm.

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From Moltkebruecke on the Spree is especially beautiful,

flowing along the edge of Tiergarten, the largest park in the centre of Berlin.

It is so clearly noticeable that the Wall did not go along this part of the Spree. The East-West boarder,the wall turned north just before the Hauptbahnhof.

So no trees were chopped down here on the banks of the Spree.

The Siegessauele, the Victory Column with the golden angel on top is visible in the distance.

The Bundeskanzleramt, the office of the Chancellor is quiet impressive.

All the government buildings have been built in the 20 years, after the fall of the Wall. Before the West-German government was situated in Bonn, far away from the East-West boarder. Only in 1991 Berlin became again the capital of a united Germany.

Another impressive building is the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the Centre for Ethnic Cultures. It was built in 1957 as a convention centre and was the American contribution in the international architectural competition to rebuild Berlin after World War 2.

Further up the river is Schloss Bellevue. This palace was build in the late 1700’s for the Prussian king. It is now the official residence of the German President.