Berlin: Unter den Linden

 2018 Europe  No Responses »
Oct 202018
 

18th c. Prussian Neo-classical gate at the western end of Unter den Linden was in the Soviet sector and now symbolizes the reunification of Germany

The Brandenburg Gate quadriga was taken to Paris when the French occupied Berlin. The quadriga was returned to Berlin after Napaleon’s defeat at Waterloo. The quadriga was destroyed in WWII and recast from the original molds. The iron cross and eagle, symbols of Prussia, were removed by the Communist regime but they were added again after reunification.

Under a linden tree on its eponymous street

The Hotel Adlon, located next to the Brandenburg Gate on Under den Linden, was center of hospitality to the rich and famous and rebuilt as the 5-star Hotel Adlon Kampinski

The elephant, lion’s head and frog with lotus fountain was part of the original Adlon, “a present from the Maharaja of Patiala around 1930” per the Kampinski website and inspiration for the 6 million Euro remodeling

In spite of shorts, tee shirt, ball cap and athletic shoes, we were not asked to leave

Floral display in the lobby comprised of many vases instead of just one

The Adlon Kampinski skylight features eagles, gryphons and six-pointed stars

The hotel is adjacent to the British Embassy

Berlin–After the Wall

 2018 Europe  No Responses »
Oct 172018
 

The last time we visited Berlin it was November of 1980. The weather was cold and wet. Skies were grey. The wall was a formidable reminder of the Cold War. West Berlin blazed with lights. Restaurants, cafes, and bars were filled with boisterous people. Shops were filled with goods. East Berlin was drab. We saw bullet holes and leaky ceilings in the museum that housed the Pergamum/Pergamon antiquities. Shops had few goods. The buildings were blackened from burning soft coal. We stood out because of our brightly colored coats. We stood out because we laughed and talked while taking in the sights. The faces of soldiers checking our passports at Checkpoint Charlie were grim. Today reunification has brought resources, pride, joy, and worldwide brands to all of Berlin. Post WWII plain buildings have given way to more style and beauty. Pre-WWII buildings have been restored.

Outdoor aviaries, cranes, skyscrapers, and reflections

Birds in an outdoor aviary

The absent mauer (wall) at Checkpoint Charlie is memorialized by museums and fast-food stores

The last time we were here the Berlin Wall loomed ominously. Now KFC is prominent

This Soviet soldier seems so benign now compared to when we crossed over and back between West and East Berlin in 1980

The Titanic Hotel name has horrible associations for me. Stickers on poles are a dubious symbol of freedom.

A cafe with chandelier will beckon customers soon

Currywurst (sausages) are so popular they merited a museum

Pre- and post-WWII architecture live side by side in Berlin

The Holocaust Memorial with the adjacent American Embassy. A single head rising above shows the scale

The somber sky and grey cement contrast strongly with the bright green leaves of life after the Holocaust

Th Old City of Dresden, Germany Restored

 2018 Europe  No Responses »
Oct 112018
 

Dresden was the capital of the Saxon Kingdom. Dresden has been likened to Florence, Italy for its majestic architecture and art. Late in WWII British and American forces bombed the old city, some say for revenge of the German bombings of London, others say to break down morale to speed up capitulation of the Nazi government. The architecture is being restored using Renaissance paintings as guides.

Dreden Palace of Saxon Kings

Tile Mural of the Kings of Saxony seemed about the length of a football field

Zwinger Palace

Kunstakademie, Academy of Fine Arts

Kunstakademie, Academy of Fine Arts

Martin Luther’s statue stands in front of the Frauen Kirche, the largest Lutheran church in Europe, rebuilt from rubble of the WWII bombing of Dresden

The statue of Martin Luther was created in 1886 and miraculously still stood after the WWII bombing of Dresden

Modeled after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, connecting two palaces

A closeup of the cherub on Dresden’s Bridge of Sighs

Even though we had no time to visit Dresden’s museums, I was able to make a panorama of theis very persuasive banner

My montage, giving dramatic light to the beautiful architecture

St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic

 2018 Europe  No Responses »
Oct 052018
 

St. Vitus Cathedral is located within the Prague Castle. Church and State were joined and in 1439 The Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia was Charles IV. He started the building of the cathedral on a site that dates back to the 10th century. After many wars that interrupted the building process, the cathedral was finally consecrated in 1929. The neo-Gothic architecture with expressive stained-glass windows is intriguing and inspiring.

Renaissance Castle in Austria

 2018 Europe  No Responses »
Oct 022018
 

Schloss Rosenburg is named after the medieval family fortress upon which the Renaissance castle was built. It is known for its rose gardens, hunting museum and falconry displays, as well as the architecture.

The entrance to Schloss Rosenburg

A sturdy door

Elaborate door handle

The inner courtyard

Entrance to the private living areas from the inner courtyard

Roses climbing on the castle wall

A garden path leading to a table in the shade

Graceful lines of the stair and hallways

a Sextant

One room of the armory

Swords and chain maille

Deadly and beautifully decorated

Protection for hands and arms

Protection for feet

Scull, horns and shadows

A hunting trophy

Bear paw detail from the entire hide

The falconers of the birds of prey train the birds to fly between them

Flying over the yard with the Austrian countryside in the background

Enjoying its reward

Nuck tucked in, it flies to its next reward

A brave handler with only one glove

She releases the eagle with great equanimity and resolve

Squinting in the bright sunlight she follows its liftoff

Large crows are part of the “fleet”

Flying finished, the owl and handler on a hot day

Baden, Austria

 2018 Europe  No Responses »
Oct 022018
 

Baden bei Wein (Baths near Vienna) is a spa town, first developed by the Romans. The mineral springs, casinos, wooded hills, restaurants, hotels, homes and cultural activities make it a luxurious retreat from the city. I was particularly interested in the outdoor show of international photographers. Not far away, the royalty of the country of Liechtenstein have a summer castle.

Photo Mural at the Shopping Plaza

Rob Macinnis, Canada

Rob Macinnis, Canada

Ed Alcock, France

Self-Service Fruit

Ripe Fruit

Burg Liechtenstein

The Cistercian Abbey of the Holy Cross

 2018 Europe  No Responses »
Oct 012018
 

“„Stift Heiligenkreuz“, which means the „Abbey of Heiligenkreuz“, is a beautiful and living Cistercian monastery, close to Vienna, the capital of Austria. Stift Heiligenkreuz is the second-oldest Cistercian monastery in the world and the oldest continuously active and inhabited one”… It was founded in 1133 by St. Leopold III of the House of Babenberg. Leopold’s son, Otto, had been sent to Paris for an international education. Otto came in contact with Cistercian monks and soon decided to enter a Cistercian monastery. When Otto visited his father in Austria he asked him to build a similar monastery for Lower Austria.” per the stift-heiligenkreuz.org website.

Located in Heiligenkreuz (Holy Cross) in the Wienerwald (the wooded hills outside of Vienna), the abbey is inspiring and our guide was full of hope and love.