More Berlin With Chantal

The weather was perfect. We left the comfort of the family’s stylish home and boarded a train bound for Old Spandau. I was super excited, as any old city, anywhere in the world, holds a fascination for me. Whether it is simply the ambience of the place or the stories of the past lingering within the walls and along narrow streets, I am transported into the heart and soul of the area. Glimpsing that which still exists. In silence.

Abby was as excited as I was. For she knew Old Spandau came complete with a drawbridge. Perhaps princesses, dragons and knights on white horses too. We wondered if they would await our arrival …

The old town did not disappoint. Walls that had stood the test of time welcomed us. Graciously sharing their history but protecting their long-kept secrets. Feeding our imaginations as we wandered slowly along the cobbled stones of narrow alleyways. The rich colours and textures of each wall and each pathway left me with my ongoing deep respect for the power of colour. Natural tones, rich in unseen energies created an exquisite kaleidoscope of nature’s treasures. I found myself embraced by that which is incredibly old and valuable.

The Citadel is one of the best-preserved Renaissance military structures in Europe. Sturdy and yet elegant, this fortress gazes out over Spandau. Quietly guarding her subjects. Built over a period of thirty-five years, from 1559-1594, The Citadel adds her own unique magnificence to modern-day Germany. Serving not only as a museum but now as a venue for music concerts. The immensely thick brick walls also offer shelter to over ten thousand bats every cold winter. I was thankful to be there in summer.

As always in Germany, perfection takes precedence over quantity. The public gardens and parks are no exception. Manicured lawns and plants are evidence of this desire and expectation of perfection. Making it an art form. One I value enormously. Without seeming disrespectful, I far more enjoy sitting in the gardens of beauty and sunshine as opposed to walking through museums.

 

We wandered back in time, to the Middle Ages, through the streets of Kolk. Also known as Behnitz, the oldest settlement showcases half-timbered houses. Each one more unique than the other. But each filled with charm and history. Each with their own wonderful stories to tell. It is said that the homes belonged to the workers at The Citadel. One could be forgiven for pretending to be Alice in Wonderland at times, for there were houses that, on entering, one could possibly discover a world of fantasy.

 

 

Walking for hours around Museum Island was both fascinating and exhausting. Hunger got the better of me and the only dish to satisfy my growing appetite was that of the traditional tangy sauerkraut, mashed potato, pickles and a fat, juicy bratwurst. Accompanied by an ice-cold German beer of course.

Fired up once more, we continued to be in awe of the architecture on the island. The once severely damaged Baroque-style Berlin Cathedral, Berliner Dom, was quite spectacular to see. As renovations were being done, we sadly did not see much of the interior. 

 

As I mentioned earlier, I am hopeless when it comes to things historic. I would much rather sit on the pavement and simply take it all in. Having said that, a visit to the  first Neo-Gothic church in Berlin, the Friedrichswerder Church, left me speechless. Built from 1824–1831, the sheer magnificence of the structure was hauntingly beautiful. I felt dwarfed by its size and invisible by its splendour. 

The doors alone held me spellbound. Their height conveying the importance of their duties. Either inviting visitors in or protecting the numerous riches held behind them. The images adorning each door, gifted us their own classic beauty. The deep richness of the bricks on the walls provided texture and warmth to that which is a dignified building. Clearly, attention to detail was paramount. Outstanding workmanship and passion must surely have been the driving forces behind such a creation. 

I was curious to visit the biggest zoo in Europe – the Tierpark. Having grown up virtually around the corner from the Kruger National Park in South Africa, I had my doubts as to how great this could be. The open-air, no-fences-in-sight and no cages blew me away. To be honest, I was a touch apprehensive.

The train journey from Berlin took an hour. On arrival, we wandered past the Friedrichsfelde Palace, built in 1695. The elegant building is situated within the zoo – illustrating just how expansive the locale is. We wandered around for hours in an area of 160 hectares. There are approximately six hundred and fifty animal species, including polar bears, living in this exquisite sanctuary. It was beautiful to see nature on such a grand scale and to learn that most of the eight thousand animals have the freedom to roam. Beautiful to know that Man is capable of living side by side with the animal kingdom. To love and to respect.