My European Adventure

Berlin!!!!

First is a shot of the spire of the Fernsehturn at Alexanderplatz. 

Next is the Neuer Wach (New Guard) which is a memorial that has passed through various regimes but currently is dedicated to German and other victims of both World Wars, the Holocaust and victims of Communism. The statue in the center is Käthe Kollwitz's sculpture Mother with her Dead Son. Above, the occulus in the ceiling focuses rain upon the statue during rain.

Next door is the Berliner Dom, which was completed in 1905 but was completely gutted during the Second World War and the Battle of Berlin.

Dreilanderecke and the Siegfried Line

First photo is a view of the Netherlands from the border with Germany, which is little more than a row of trees and a small, dirt road.

The strange shaped building in the distance is the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, which is the largest in Europe and one the leaders in Medical research.

The concrete blocks in the shrubbery are remnants of the Siegfriend Line (Westwall) which was built during the Second World War to prevent tanks entering Germany.

Afterwards, is the marker for the Three-point border (Dreilanderecke) between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Interestingly, there is a memorial there for British and American efforts during both World Wars.

Close to the marker is the highest point in the Netherlands (amusingly, on the border. It is literally downhill from then on).

Checkpoint Charlie: the former border crossing point from the American Sector of Berlin to the Soviet Section. Although just a shack with a sign, this place has seen an immense amount of history. On the street on which sits, Friedrichstrasse, in 1961, Soviet and American tanks faced off o, with the checkpoint in the middle.

Next is a remnant of the Berlin Wall at Niederkirchenerstrasse. What makes this section unique is that the wall is almost in the same condition as it was in 1989. Adjacent to the wall is the Topography of Terror which is a pictorial museum depicting the years of Nazi terror.

Berlin!!! First the Christmas Markets...

Next is the Holocaust Memorial which, at a glance appears to be just a Square full of concrete blocks but as you walk into them, the ground becomes lower and you get the feeling of being engulfed in darkness. This is apparently meant to emulate what the millions of Jews, Gypsies and Russians experienced when being processed through the concentration camps.

The Reichstag! The Current German Parliament. In 1933, it was completely destroyed by a fire which the Nazis, blaming communists for the fire, used as a pretext to enact emergency laws giving Hitler complete control over the Government. In 1945, the Soviets raised the flag of the USSR on the top to signal the capture of Berlin.

The building lay in ruin until after reunification when it was completely refurbished. The inscription on the facade says "Dem Deutsche Volke" - "For the German People".

The East Side Gallery: The longest remaining section of the wall.

Just some sights of Rome. First is Piazza Del Popolo which was where the northern gate of the Rome was located.

The last two is of Castel Sant'Angelo which was constructed at the order of Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family between 123AD and 139AD. It is located on the bank of the River Tiber and adjacent to Via Della Conciliazione (the road which leads to St Peter's Square and the Vatican). Over the centuries, it has been destroyed and rebuilt as a fortress, a prison and a papal residence. 

In order from the top.

The Pantheon: Originally built during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus as a temple to all the Gods of Rome and rebuilt around 126AD. It was later converted to a Catholic Church. Note the dome which is a marvel of Roman Engineering. The Oculus in the center awesome.

Trevi Fountain: The fountain was built in 1629 at the commission of Pope Urban VIII. This is ironic because it depicts the Gods of Ancient Rome. Apparently it is also fed by Aqua Virgo (a revived Roman Aqueduct).

Spanish Steps: Basically a set of steps that lead to a church, which, today is covered by tourists whom want to sit.

The Roman Forum: Although today just a giant field of ruins including random columns and foundations, this was once the center of Government of the Roman Empire. This is where the Roman Empire was formed and includes the former Royal Palace (the Regia) from 8th Century BC. Much of it was destroyed by Medieval Christians to build other buildings.