Berlin+Tourist+Attractions


 So far this year, we've had a blast in Berlin! Apart from sight-seeing, eating and taking in the scenery, we barely have time to breathe! One of the best parts of visiting Berlin is seeing all of the tourist attractions. There's always something for everyone to enjoy, since there are so many different places to explore! Cathedrals, zoos, opera houses, and museums are just a fraction of the things you can do here! So, the other day, we decided to visit the Berlin Cathedral. On the way, we had to ask for directions. Everyone that we asked directions from would mention "Oberpfarr und Domkirche zu Berlin" or "Berliner Dom." How odd! We figured that those were the names that the Germans call the Berlin Cathedral. When we saw it for the first time, we were awestruck! By looking at it, you wouldn't even notice that it was destroyed twice, one being in WWII. This old attraction dates all the way back to 1894 and was finished in 1905 by Julius Raschdorff. Now, this isn't just some ordinary cathedral! There are so many different historical pieces inside, including the Sauer's Organ and the Neo-Baroque Pulpit. The Pulpit was taken from the previous church from the 1850's ! Another awesome feature is that there are 70 coffins in the church. There were originally 89. The great Elector and his wife, Dorothea are an example of two people in the coffins. We had so much fun there! We walked Under den Linden last week. It's a path that runs from Brandenburg Gate to the Schlossbrücke bridge. We didn't need directions to find this place. It's extremely long and is surrounded by huge trees. In fact, Unter den Linden is named after its Linden trees that grow around the street. Many of the trees were destroyed for fire wood at the end of World War II. Thankfully, they replanted them in the 1950s. This street was originally a bridle path that was used starting in the <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">18th century. It's <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">covered with billions of landmarks, including the university that Einstein taught at,<span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"> Humboldt University. It was amazing! If only you could have been here to walk it with us.

Ever wish that you could see the city <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">360° around ? Well, guess what? You can, if you visit the Dome of the Reichstags! Entirely <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">made of glass mirrors, this structure sits proudly upon the <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">top of the Reichstag Building. We both went together at night, when the building was glowing a warm gold. We were glad to see that it was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">an earth-friendly structure ! It takes the <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">sunlight from the day and uses it at night ! This is called Solar Power. Wow, <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Norman Foster was smart to think of this building's magnificent design!

While <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">on Under den Linden, we went to the State Opera House. There are <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">three opera houses here in Berlin, The Comic Opera House, the German Opera House, and the State Opera House. The Comic Opera House is also <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">located on Under den Linden. It was <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">built in 1947, and now <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">specializes in light operas. The German Opera House was <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">built in 1961 because the Berlin wall cut off people who lived in West Berlin from the State Opera House. The State Opera House was <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">originally built in 1742, but then <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">rebuilt after World War II. We've never been to an opera house before this, and it was so exciting!

We went and saw a bunch of museums, one of them being the Altes Museum at Lustgarten! The main purpose for this museum was to house Germany's treasures. There are a lot of cool features in this museum. Some include a <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">two-story rotunda <span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">and antiquities. Don't forget their <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">biggest attraction: Queen Nefertiti (dating back to 1360 B.C.) It also has <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Greek and Roman art (vases, paintings, and statues.) Too bad that just prior to World War 2, a tank <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">blew up in front of the museum, destroying it. It's great that they<span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);"> rebuilt it in 1966. There were so many things to see there, we never wanted to leave!

In February we went to Potsdamer Platz for the Film Festival. This festival takes place <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">in February each year. It used to be <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">at Zoo Palast Cinema, but <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">since 2000 it's been here at Potsdamer Platz. It's a festival where everybody piles into the theaters and a <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">jury judges the movies and finds the best ones. Once they find the best ones the <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">winners are awarded with gold/silver medals. Of course we couldn't see all <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">800 movies that they show, but we loved the ones that we saw. It was a really long festival too. It went on for <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">12 days. When we get back we'll have to tell you about the movies we saw.

Everyone loves the Zoo, right? We spent one sunny afternoon checking out the <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">5,000 land invertebrates, 1350 species, 7000 marine and fresh water invertebrates at the Aquarium Zoologischer Garten. //Woah, that is a lot of animals!// We got to see so many <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">different rare species of animals, including the orangutans and the pygmy hippopotamus! It was very nice there, but it was very old. We learned that the zoo was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">built in 1841! The tour-guide explained that the zoo was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">destroyed in World War 2. It was devastating. Only a mere <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">91 animals survived out of hundreds.

Berlin has <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">over 150 theaters. A few weeks ago we went to <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">Berlin's oldest theater, The German Theater, or <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">"Deutsches Theater". This theater <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">opened in 1883. As <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">part of the centenary celebrations, the theater's <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">decorations and furnishings were restored in 1983. We went to a non-german play, but the theater <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">shows both german and non-german plays. It was awesome!

From the opera houses to festivals, Berlin has it all! Our year here together was amazing! We took tons of pictures, and can't wait to show them all to you! It was by far our favorite trip ever!

Sincerely, Morgan & Meaghan!

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<span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">
<span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">So far this year, we've had a blast in Berlin! Apart from sight-seeing, eating and taking in the scenery, we barely have time to breathe! One of the best parts of visiting Germany is seeing all of the tourist attractions. There's always something for everyone to enjoy, since there are so many different places to explore! Cathedrals, Zoos, Opera Houses, and museums are just a fraction of the things you can do here!

So, the other day, we decided to visit the Berlin Cathedral. On the way, we had to ask for directions. Everyone that we asked directions from would mention <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">"Oberpfarr und Domkirche zu Berlin" or "Berliner Dom." We figured that those were the names that the Germans call the Berlin Cathedral. When we saw it for the first time, we were awestruck! By looking at it, you wouldn't even notice that <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">it was destroyed twice, one being in WWII. This old attraction dates all the way <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">back to 1894 and was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">finished in 1905 by Julius Raschdorff. Now, this isn't just some ordinary cathedral! There are so many different historical pieces inside, including the <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Sauer's Organ and the Neo-Baroque Pulpit. The Pulpit was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">taken from the previous church from the 1850's ! Another awesome feature is that there are <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">70 coffins in the church. There <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">used to be 89. We had so much fun there! <span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"> We walked Under den Linden last week. It's a path that runs <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">from Brandenburg Gate to the Schlossbrücke bridge. We didn't need directions to find this place. It's extreemly long and is surrounded by huge trees. In fact, Unter den Linden is <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">named after its Linden trees that grow around the street. Many of the <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">trees were destroyed for fire wood at the end of World War II. Thankfully, they <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">replanted them in the 1950s. This street was <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">originally a bridle path that was used starting in the <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">18th century. It's <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">covered with billions of landmarks, including the university that Einstein taught at.<span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);"> Humboldt University. It was amazing. If only you could have been here to walk it with us.

Ever wish that you could see the city <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">360° around ? Well, guess what? You can, that is, if you visit the Dome of the Riechstags! Entirely <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">made of glass mirrors, this structure sits proudly upon the <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">top of the Riechstag Building. We both went together at night, when the building was glowing a warm gold. We were glad to see that it was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">an earth-friendly structure ! It takes the <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">sunlight from the day and uses it at night ! Wow, <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Norman Foster was smart to think of this buildings magnificent design!

While on Under den Linden, we went to the State Opera House. It's located on this path. There are <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">three opera houses here in Berlin. The Comic Opera House, the German Opera House, and the State Opera House. The Comic Opera House is also <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">located on Under den Linden. It was <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">built in 1947, and now <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">specializes in light operas. The German Opera House was <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">built in 1961 because the Berlin wall cut off people who lived in West Berlin from the State Opera House. The State Opera House was <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">originally built in 1742, but then <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">rebuilt after World War II. We've never been to an opera house before this, and it was so exciting!

We went and saw a bunch of museums, one of them being the Altes Muesum at Lustgarten! There are a lot of cool features of this museum. Some include a <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">two-story rotunda <span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">and antiquities. Don't forget their <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">biggest attraction: Queen Nefertiti (dating back to 1360 B.C.) It also has <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Greek and Roman art (vases, paintings, and statues.) Too bad that just prior to World War 2, a tank <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">blew up in front of the museum, destroying it. It's great that they<span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);"> rebuilt it in 1966.

In February we went to Potsdamer Platz for the Film Festival. This festival takes place <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">in February each year. It used to be <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">at Zoo Palast Cinema, but <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">since 2000 it's been here at Potsdamer Platz. It's a festival where everybody piles into the theaters and a <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">jury judges the movies and finds the best ones. Once they find the best ones the <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">winners are awarded with gold/silver medals. Of course we couldn't see all <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">800 movies that they show, but we loved the ones that we saw. It was a really long festival too. It went on for <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">12 days. When we get back we'll have to tell you about the movies we saw.

Everyone loves the Zoo, right? We spent one sunny afternoon checking out the <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">5,000 land invertebrates, 1350 species, 7000 marine and fresh water invertebrates at the Aquarium Zoologischer Garten. //Woah, that is a lot of animals!// We got to see so many <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">different rare species of animals, including the orangutans and the pygmy hippopotamus! It was very nice there, but it was very old. We learned that the zoo was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">built in 1841! The tour-guide explained that the zoo was <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">destroyed in World War 2. It was devastating. Only a mere <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">91 animals survived out of hundreds.

Berlin has <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">over 150 theaters. A few weeks ago we went to <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">Berlin's oldest theater. The German Theater, or Deutsches Theater. This theater <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">opened in 1883. As part of the centenary celebrations, the theater's <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">decorations and furnishings were restored in 1983. We went to a non-german play, but the theater <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">shows both german and non-german plays. It was awesome!

From the opera houses to festivals, Berlin has it all! Our year here together was amazing! We took tons of pictures, and can't wait to show them all to you! It was by far our favorite trip ever!

Sincerely, Morgan & Meaghan! <span style="color: rgb(0,0,0);">

<span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);"><span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Meaghan's Notes: 1. Berlin Cathedral http://www.earthinpictures.com/world/germany/berlin/berliner_dom_(berlin_cathedral).html 2. <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">The Dome of the Reichstags http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichstag_dome 3. <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Altes Museum at Lustgarten http://www.aviewoncities.com/berlin/altesmuseum.htm 4. <span style="color: rgb(0,255,0);">Aquarium Zoologischer Garden http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/62225/Berlin-Zoological-Garden-and-Aquarium
 * It is known as Berliner Dom, but it's official name is "Oberpfarr und Domkirche zu Berlin."
 * The current cathedral was built in 1894-1905 by Julius Raschdorff.
 * Inside is the Hohenzollern Crypt, where 70 of 89 coffins (they originally had 89) are kept and preserved.
 * It also has Sauer's Organ and The "Neo-Baroque Pulpit" (from the previous church dating back to 1850's)
 * It was damaged during WWII, but was later re-built.
 * The great elector and his wife are housed in coffins here.
 * Made of Glass.
 * Atop the Reichstag Building.
 * It was designed by Norman Foster.
 * From inside, you can see a 360° of the scenery around it.
 * It is Earth-friendly by using the sunlight from the day for at night.
 * It was built to house German Treasures that had been brought from France.
 * House Germany's treasures.
 * Features a 2-story rotunda.
 * Just prior to the WWII, a tank truck blew up in front of it, destroying it completely.
 * It reopened in 1966.
 * The main floor features Antikensammlung (antiquities.)
 * It also features Roman and Greek art (vases, paintings and statues.)
 * The biggest attraction there is Queen Nefertiti dating back to 1360 B.C.
 * It is considered the oldest zoo in Germany, being built in 1841.
 * There are many rare animals there.
 * Only 91 animals survived the World War 2, since the zoo was destroyed.
 * 5,000 land invertebrates, 1350 species, 7000 marine and fresh water invertebrates there.

<span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">Morgan's Notes: (Book) World Cities-Berlin Christine Hatt German Theater (Deutsches Theater) Orchestras Opera Movies Film Festival Berlin Drama Festival German Open Tennis Championships [] Under den Linden
 * over 150 theaters
 * city's oldest theater
 * Shows german and non-german plays
 * opened in 1883
 * furnishings & decorations were restored in 1983 as part of centenary celebrations
 * Berlin Philharmonic orchestra: Established 1882
 * Berlin Symphony orchestra: 1952
 * three opera houses in Berlin
 * 1.State Opera House (Unter Den Linden): originally built in 1742-rebuilt after World War 2
 * 2.German Opera:built in 1961 (after Berlin Wall cut off west berliners from State Opera house)
 * 3.Comic Opera (Unter den Linden): Built in 1947, specializes light operas
 * Berlin has around 130 movie theaters
 * February
 * Around 800 movies are shown in 12 days
 * Jury chooses best movies at Zoo Palast Cinema
 * Winners get gold/silver trophies
 * In 2000 the festival moved to new theaters on Potsdamer Platz
 * April/beginning of May
 * 2 weeks long
 * German speaking theater companies from Switzerland, Austria & Germany perform at many places
 * Top-class contest
 * women only
 * in May
 * Berlin hosts it
 * Linking Brandenburg Gate with Schlossbrücke bridge, the former Prussian bridle path is studded with monumental landmarks including Humboldt University, where Einstein taught.
 * Originally, Unter den Linden was a bridle path that developed considerably during the 18th century to reflect the rise of the monarchy, whose changing architectural tastes were the epitome of graceful elegance.