Monday 19 December 2011

Berlin: On and around Museum Island


The Pergamon was our first stop on Museum Island.  We visited two more museums on the island - the Bode Museum and the Altes Museum, which at the time of our visit housed the iconic bust of Queen Nefertiti while her original home, the Neues Museum was under reconstruction.  We were relieved that we were able to see the Queen as she was the reason why we were there!  And she was as we expected - stunning!   My photos could not possibly do her justice.




Altes Museum


An unusual sculpture outside the Altes Museum

Bode Museum with its impressive lobby and staircase







Two of my favourites - a dancer and a gorgeous carving of the nativity scene





A familiar tune attracted us to this accordion player - who would expect to hear Come back to Sorento in Berlin?!
The Postfuhramt is just across the bridge from Museum Island.  This used to be the mail distribution depot and stables for Berlin's horse-drawn postal wagons.  It is now an exhibit hall.  We were lucky to be able to see an Annie Leibovitz retrospect there. 






On the way back to Museum Island after lunch, we came across the Neue Synagogue, with its splendid Moorish style dome.  This was built in the mid-19th century and was the main synagogue in Berlin - twice destroyed and rebuilt, it had a dramatic historical background.  We were not able to visit it but it would definitely be a destination for a future visit.






And in a completely different style, the Berliner Dom - the Cathedral on Museum Island.






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