Day 13 Berlin – Last day in Berlin and the weather wasn’t all that great. But there was so much more to see that you just have to have a go. The first stop was a tour of an underground air raid bunker from WWII. This one was the only one left after all had been destroyed after the end of the war. The only thing that saved it was that the Gesundbrunnen underground station runs directly below it. Overall it was really interesting and something a bit different. Unfortunately we couldn’t take pictures but one of the things they was showed was luminescent paint used on the walls in case of a blackout. The bunker designed for 300 had over 1,000 Germans using it in the 300 odd air raids that hit Berlin. The forced labour kept working during the raids as their livelihood was of no concern to the Nazi’s. Outside the bunker in the park was one of the flak towers used in the defence of Berlin. It was a little too wet to climb up to the top, oh well next time. From here it was off to the Bösebrücke Bridge about 20 mins walk away. The bridge was the first checkpoint to open up when the Berlin Wall was officially opened in 1989. Apart from some pictures a few information poles, there wasn’t much of a fuss when compared to the theatrics of Checkpoint Charlie. This was the place where history was made but unfortunately a little too far away from the middle of everything. After seeing Holocaust Memorials dedicated to the victims of euthanasia as well one to the Homosexuals persecuted by the Nazi’s, it was a mad dash to visit the grave of Marlene Dietrich which was 2 trains and a bus away. I also stumbled upon a section that centred on the “Victims of War & Tyranny”. This is a title given and covers over 150,000 victims in over 220 cemeteries in and around Berlin. After this the day was really done and I slowly made my way back to the hotel. Paris tomorrow and then off to Dubai. I really do love Berlin, it certainly has something that sets it apart.
Pic Link
Europe Dec-Jan 2018 