Unter den Linden is the premier grand boulevard of Berlin. It starts at one end with the Brandenburg gate. But somewhat obscured from view on my visit by the hordes off football fans corralled into a fans camp at its base.
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| The Russian War memorial |
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| The British Embassy |
Below is the Holocaust memorial. Its interesting the extent to which one will go to expiate guilt, when the guilt you are expiating is for a biggie - genocide. Basically its pretty unlimited. Spend any amount on money on any useless, uninteresting concept as any query of this sounds like you just aren't trying hard enough to show contrition for your sins. Or those of your fathers, or grandfathers. Which is how at enormous cost such a wasteful, insipid memorial could be placed on a key central bit of real estate. This collection of big blocks just looks like a kids playground. Whatever the symbolism of bunging up lots of rectangular blocks, it doesn't add up to much. And anything that might have been was certainly lost by being surrounded by drunken chanting foot ball fans.
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| The Reichstag |
At the far end of the boulevard is the statue of Frederick the Great
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| Humboldt Universitat |
In contrast to the Holocaust memorial, much more effecting is the converted Memorial to the victims of war and tyranny, the Neue Wache. Imposing grand exterior, incredibly simple striking interior.
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| Who said the Germans have no sense of humour |
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