Pergamonmuseum
One of the most famous museums in Europe hosts enormous collection of art and large pieces of ancient buildings excavated by the German expeditions at the beginning of 20th century.
The exhibition is split into three sections: Ancient world (Greek and Roman cultures) Oriental art ( including Istar Gate from Babylon) and the Art of Islam collection.
Kunstgewerbemuseum
The museum gathered almost all representative items for different craftsman disciples and styles present in European art from early Middle Ages to the present times.
The treasures include gold and silver religious items from local churches, the medieval Venetian glass works and the items made from melted rubies in Germany in17th century.
Gemäldgalerie
The vast collection of European paintings include works of Bosch, Cranach, and Durer from Germany, Italian artists Caravaggio and, Botticelli and Rafael, and Dutch Jan Vermeer van Delft. Among Rembrandt’s paintings visitors can see Susan and elderly men, Samson and Dalila and Joseph with Putifar’s wife.
The thoroughly renovated castle features Baroque interiors of chambers once owned by Prussian kings. The large garden surrounding the castle is a perfect place for the brake near the water mirroring the old trees and bushes.
The iconic Bandenburg Gate witnessed most of important historical events, which shape the presents German history, including Napoleon troops parade, Russian soldiers putting the red banner marking the end of WWII, and hammers destroying the wall in 9 Nov 1989.
Reichstag
Another icon of Berlin for decades unused after the fire set by Nazis in 1933. After German reunion the capital turned back to Berlin , and Reichstag became again the site of Bundestag.
The last rebuilding in 1999 added the new glass cupola over the parliaments meeting chamber.
Kaiser-Wilchelm-Gedächtniskirche
The visit to Berlin should include another symbol Kaiser-Wilchelm-Gedächtniskirche. The old church has been heavily damaged during the Second World War, and left unbuilt after.
Instead of reconstruction of the old one , in 1950′s the new glass and steel octagonal construction has been finished by an architect Egon Eiermann.
Near the former entry point to the American zone of divided Berlin are left remains of the famous wall, history of the division is on display in nearby Museum of Berlin Wall.
Fernsechnturm
368 meters high television tower is the highest in Berlin, and one of the highest in Europe. The giant ball atop of the tower features the Tele-Cafe which rotates slowly giving the opportunity for visitors to see the whole 360 degree panorama of the city while drinking coffee.
Zoological Garden
The visit to the ZOO will help to relax after a day spent in Berlin museums and galleries.Everything here is big. The swimming pool for hippos with the glass wall, the jungle area with alligators
and the giant coral reef aquarium.
[ photo courtesy of rickz]
