Berlin: Photo Diary

1/9/2015

Brandenburg Gate & Pariser Platz.

Exploring historic sites and the city centre.
A photo collection from my second visit to Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate.

A symbol of European unity and peace and representative of the tumultuous history of Europe and Germany, Brandenburg Gate is also my number one meeting point for random shenanigans and a great starting point to begin uncovering Berlin.

Completed in 1791 and restored 2000-2002, the former gate to the city is the monumental entry to Unter den Linden, Berlin's renowned boulevard of linden trees; affectionately referred to as Berlin's very own Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Berlin photo diary - Unter den Linden from Pariser Platz.

A view of Unter den Linden from Pariser Platz.

Berlin photo diary - Holocaust memorial, memorial to the murdered jews of europe.

READ MORE: Holocaust Memorial.

The Reichstag Building.

After spending some time at Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust memorial, I thought I should head over to the Reichstag. I had a vague idea of the location; I knew it was relatively close and didn't think I would need a map. Incorrect!

After walking almost 2 km in the wrong direction, I finally decided to ask someone for help. Two older gentlemen walking towards me stopped to offer me advice. They told me to cut through the Tiergarten, and it should take around 40 minutes to get there, huh, 40 minutes? How freaking far had I walked? I couldn't possibly have been walking for that long, could I? I turned around, walked in the direction they had told me too, made a left into the Tiergarten, followed the signage and 15 minutes later I arrived there. 15 Minutes! That's more like it!

I was going to get a ticket and go inside. However, the line was enormous. (This is one to book online.) I spent around 20 minutes walking around while taking photos, admiring the late 19th-century architecture and bumping into people, before heading back to the bus stop. As I was waiting for the bus, I happened to look up just at the right time to see the two older gentlemen who previously had helped me walk past; they shouted: "the Reichstag is behind you". I thanked them for their help, explained I had already been and laughed, I guess they were right, calculated off their walking speed it had been exactly 40 minutes.

So as it turns out, the Reichstag is easily accessible from Brandenburg gate; it is only 500 meters away. I can't believe I didn't merely look at a map.

Berlin photo diary - Tilt shift image of street art.

Incredible street art located at Berlin Warschauer Straße S-Bahn Station. Close to the East Side Gallery. Artist Unkown.

READ MORE: The East Side Gallery.

Berlin photo diary - Wir sind ein volk, street art.

Huge I ❤ BERLIN Mural found on Mühlenstraße, "Wir sind ein Volk" (We are one people), located opposite the East Side Gallery. Artist unknown. "Berlin is poor, but sexy." - Klaus Wowereit.

Yaam on a rainy day.

READ MORE: Yaam, Berlin's Rastafarian Headquarters.

Berlin photo diary - El Bocho & Street Art.

El Bocho character, Tina Berlina, found near Alexanderplatz located next to an 'Its Time to Dance' project piece.

READ MORE: Berlin Street Art - El Bocho.

The Fernsehturm.

The Fernsehturm (Berlin TV tower). A highlight of the Berlin City skyline and an excellent marker point for a tipsy walk back to your accommodation. You can head up to the top to dine in the 4-star restaurant or for a fantastic 360-degree view of Berlin. Beware of the queues!