Day 94 May 19th 2017
Today we made another accidental discovery that was not on our must see list. Oh so pleased we found it – the Palace of Tears (Tränenpalast). Once a major border crossing between East and West Berlin at Berlin Friedrichstraße station now a museum about the border crossing.
Housed in the actual border crossing centre making it all the more powerful. And incongruous to see this light filled space that was the result of so much human grief and sadness. A small but well presented history of the people crossing the border. Wonderful voice and video clips with many exhibitions. Graphically describing the experiences of people over the years – the young teenage girl called in to be interrogated because she wanted to travel to West Berlin to study. Unbelievable this Palace of Tears museum is free entry.
We are beginning to realise we spend a LOT of time once we get into a museum and at the end we are brain exhausted. A bit of a routine is developing – visit a museum or historical centre in the morning, take a walk somewhere, eat – and then take stock of time before deciding what next.
Today after the museum we headed for Nikolaiviertel which we had read about in 50 Things to Do In Berlin. A small old town easy to miss.
We passed by a beautiful statue shaded by a large church which we found was now a museum. Nikolaikirche – we later discovered is the oldest church in Berlin. As we tried to find out about tickets 3 of the woman behind the counter undertook to join together and share their English to let us know there was an organ recital that evening.
Hunger nagged so we left the cool and beautiful interior of Nikolaikirche and looked around for local food. Our choice was Zur Gerichtslaube with a green and shaded courtyard along with a delicious sounding menu.
As we sat Chris suddenly leapt up and said “There’s the Canadian” “What Canadian” “The Canadian” “Which one we know a few?” “The Canadian from the train”. Click – and at about that time I too saw our fellow late night traveller who was on the wrong Ubahn as we arrived in Berlin. Also with him another fellow traveller whom we shared a talkfest and lunch with. Chris and I remarking at the end – these are those special travel moments.
We each had a preference for the remainder of the day – Chris wanted to go to the Beer festival, and I wanted to hear the Organ recital. As we strolled up to Berlin Cathedral and around Alexanderplatz past the large statue of Engels and Marx statue we realised we could do both.
First stop the Organ recital – the church organ and and oboe player playing a short but beautiful concert beginning with Vivaldi.
Next the Beer Festival – a tense time getting there with none of our navigational tools being terribly helpful. Then as we were about to give up – there was the building. And well worthwhile it was at the brew festival at Kulturbrauerei . We tasted beers, ate snippets of food, and enjoyed the beautiful balmy night and friendly surrounds.
Found our way home without issue. Decided on the basis of a beautiful night we would stop in for dessert next door to home at Neontoaster. Deliciously Italian focussed we kept the theme with Tira Misu and Prosecco.
