Ascension Day in Berlin: Humboldt Forum and tour through what feels like the whole of Berlin

प्रकाशित: 25.05.2022

We set off early in the morning by train, which actually brought us to Berlin almost on time. Then we took the S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz, near where our hotel was booked.


Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz


Since we were able to check in at lunchtime, we set off in bright sunshine past the Red Town Hall towards the Humboldt Forum.


Rotes Rathaus
Red Town Hall


We also strolled through the streets of Nikolaiviertel, which is located right on the banks of the Spree.


Nikolaiviertel
Nikolaiviertel


With a view of the other bank with the Humboldt Forum and Berlin Cathedral, we took a lunch break. When the waiter brought the bread as a starter, a piece fell to the ground, which delighted the sparrows, who were waiting for food everywhere on the restaurant terrace.


Spatzenfütterung
Sparrow feeding


There was initially some dispute over the bread, but once the order was clarified, one of the sparrows fed three other birds. Their feathers looked a bit fuzzier and so we deduced that they must be last year's young birds that are still being fed by their mother...


Humboldtforum
Humboldt Forum


We continued to the Humboldt Forum, which was built on the site of the Berlin Palace destroyed in World War II and blown up in 1950/51. Some historical facades were reconstructed, while other parts were rebuilt in a modern style.


Humboldtforum
Humboldt Forum


This resulted in a 30,000 square meter exhibition area, which houses various museums.


Humboldtforum
Humboldt Forum


There was a video animation and an exhibition in the sculpture hall that showcases original sculptures from the former palace.


Schlosskeller
Schlosskeller


In the basement, you could see old wall sections that testify to the history of the monks and kings who lived here.


Schlosskeller
Schlosskeller


After these historical impressions, we continued to the Museum of Ethnology, where wooden figures from Cameroon, boats from Oceania, and musical instruments from various parts of the world were on display.


Ethnologisches Museum
Ethnological Museum


One floor above, the Museum of Asian Art showcases ancient Indian and Chinese works.


Museum für asiatische Kunst
Museum of Asian Art


A Japanese tea house has also been recreated, although there is currently no tea ceremony taking place.


Teehaus
Teahouse


Not all exhibitions were fully visible yet, as some parts are still under construction and are scheduled to open in autumn 2022.


Museum für asiatische Kunst
Museum of Asian Art


As a conclusion, we went up to the rooftop terrace, which offered a beautiful view of the surroundings.


Blick von der Dachterrasse des Humboldtforums
View from the rooftop terrace of the Humboldt Forum


We had not covered much ground on our Berlin tour yet, but we continued. We walked a stretch on the grand avenue 'Unter den Linden' before turning towards Gendarmenmarkt.


Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt


We treated ourselves to an ice cream sundae for refreshment before taking a look at the French and German Cathedrals on the square from the outside.


Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt


We then went to Checkpoint Charlie, the former border crossing to the American sector.


Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie


We walked through the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz


Sony Center
Sony Center


and passed by the Tiergarten towards the Brandenburg Gate.


Brandenburger Tor
Brandenburg Gate


We then walked back to Alexanderplatz along 'Unter den Linden', where our tour ended.


Blick vom Park Inn am Alexanderplatz
View from the Park Inn at Alexanderplatz


For a nice view, we went up to the observation terrace of the Park Inn hotel with the hope of being able to have a cocktail at the bar. After taking the elevator to the 35th floor, we had to climb another 80 steps to reach the terrace. Along the way, there were encouraging signs:


Treppe zur Dachterrasse vom Park Inn am Alexanderplatz
Stairs to the rooftop terrace of the Park Inn at Alexanderplatz


As it turned out, you could only look in two directions from the terrace and even though the entrance fee of 6 euros was not very high, we found it a bit much for a location with a prison-like atmosphere...


Blick vom Park Inn am Alexanderplatz
View from the Park Inn at Alexanderplatz


Cocktails were only available in bottles at the cash register, but at least there were lounge chairs set up behind the grid, through which you could look out onto Alexanderplatz and the city beyond.


Blick vom Park Inn am Alexanderplatz
View from the Park Inn at Alexanderplatz


This concluded our first day in Berlin and we were happy when we were back in our hotel room after our 11-kilometer tour, to rest for the next day.


 






 

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#deutschland# berlin# humboldtforum#museum# schlosskeller