Berlin Day 2: Churches, Gates, and Ferris Wheels

I spent Tuesday between Alexanderplatz, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and the Brandenburg Gate. It may not sound like much, but these were major tourist stops and took up most of the day.

Alexanderplatz is Berlin's center square. It is most easily recognized for its huge Ferris wheel (Riesenrad) and the television tower (Fernsehturm) nearby. The tower, built by the former GDR government, is still the tallest building in Germany. On a sunny day, it's probably worth the entrance fee to climb to the top and get the bird's eye view of Berlin. Today, not so much. I admired it from afar.

Ferris Wheel on Alexanderplatz

Television tower (Fernsehturm)

Another major attraction in the center of the city is the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Named after Kaiser Wilhelm I, and arguably one of the most famous churches in Germany, the church was bombed and destroyed by a British air raid in World War II. Some sympathetic army officials supposedly told church members that the church was destroyed so that a bigger, better church could be built. Who knows. A new church was indeed built years later and finished in 1960. Today, some 50 years later, the church is undergoing renovations, as evidenced by the scaffolding in the picture below. However, visitors are still being allowed inside. I'm glad I had a chance to visit the chapel. Between the church organ, the cobalt blue windows, and knowing the history, it's a pretty incredible place to be.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Inside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Of course, no trip to Berlin would be complete without a trip to the Brandenburg Gate, or the Brandenburger Tor auf Deutsch. (Checkpoint Charlie comes tomorrow.) This city gate was built in the late 18th century as a sign of peace under the Prussian rule of King Friedrich Wilhelm II. It was largely destroyed in WWII and rebuilt as a national monument in 2000-2002.

Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

Brandenburg Gate, theoretically with me in front (in black)

The Brandenburg Gate sits on one of Berlin's major thoroughfares, "Unter den Linden". The picture below was my view as I was leaving the square and heading back to the hostel for a good night's sleep.

Unter den Linden ("Under the linden trees")