Christmas in Berlin

My last visit was in Summer 2013, the blog of which is further down this page!

This time we stayed in the bustling Potsdamer Platz area, which is known for its modern architecture and vibrant atmosphere. A good location in between the centre of Alexanderplatz and the erstwhile centre, Kurfurstendamm. Both walkable.

Our first venture, was an evening stroll down the Unter den Linden from the iconic Brandenburg gate to the Christmas market under the impressive Fernseturm (East German TV Tower)in Alexanderplatz. An ice rink, ferris wheel as well as numerous, wurst, gluhwein, chocoldate, souvenir huts were there to be enjoyed.

The following day was a big nostalgia trip for me...a visit to the original gateway airport to West Berlin,Tempelhof. My first ever flight took me there aged 6 years on a BEA Vanguard if I recall correctly. This former airport, which was in operation from 1923 to 2008, is now a public park and museum. The museum tells the story of the airport's history and its role in the city's development. English speaking visits are available here, including a tour of the massive building and its rather art deco departure / arrival concourse, departure gates, ramp and hangars. The building now has many local companies hosted within it, and a refugee camp outside it. The two disused runways and the airfield are used for all sorts of park activities in the warmer months.

Another interesting visit on the trip was to the Stasi prison, which is now a museum. The Stasi, the Ministry for State Security, was the secret police of East Germany. The prison was used to detain and interrogate political prisoners during the Cold War. The museum tells the stories of the prisoners who were held there and the conditions that they faced. It was a sobering reminder of the country's past and the human rights abuses that occurred during that time.

We also took walks around the Tiergarten to the Siegessäule, the east side gallery....and we made a visit to the Tranenpalast (the Palace of tears), the former border crossing point between West and East Berlin at Friedrichstraße railway station.

Another highlight was an evening show, Arise, at the Friederichstadt-Palast...100 performers including dancers, acrobats, trapeze artists etc...very impressive, a true spectacle.

The city is full of history and culture, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're interested in art, architecture, food, or history, Berlin has it all. I highly recommend a visit to this vibrant city.