This is the Kaiser Wilhelm church which was almost totally destroyed in Allied bombing attacks in World War 2. The government was going to demolish the crumbling tower but Berliners asked to keep the tower intact and not to repair it. A new church was built alongside the ruin and a new bell tower was added on the other side. This is my third attempt in five years to see this church. On the previous two occasions it has been covered in scaffolding. Now the scaffolding has been taken down and scaffolding erected around the new bell tower. I'll probably be 90 before I get to see all three parts of the church.
This was how the church looked like before the bombing.
I went back at night to photograph the church with the new building in blue next to it.
Just next door to the church I took a photo of these building site cranes. They look like they are having a light sabre fight!
Photo shows what appears to be bomb damage on the stones.
This cross was made from nails taken from the ruins of Coventry Cathedral after it was attacked by German bombers.
This was taken inside the new church building.
Photo taken at sunset of the Reichstag (German Parliament Building).
The Reichstag from the front. You can just make out the glass dome which was added by the British architect, Richard Rogers. You can visit the building for free and walk all around the dome to the top.
The famous Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) next to the Reichstag building.
The Brandenburg Gate from the other side.
Just next to the Brandenburg Gate was a line of horse-drawn tours. I had thought of taking a tour but I didn't like the look of this driver. On top of that you can make out his name on his harness - Macho!
Just a few hundred metres from the Brandenburg Gate I saw this man sitting down and chatting with people. I asked one of the people handing out leaflets what it was about and she told me his name is Ralph Boes and his benefits have been sanctioned because he has been judged to be not looking enough for work. He invites people to sit down and talk with him. He hasn't eaten since the 1st July and is continuing his protest.
Just as I left Ralph Boes I snapped a last photo of the Brandenburg Gate.
Just as I left a photography exhibition this morning I could hear a roar of engines. I went outside to be greeted by the sight of a column of motorbikes driving up the street. The German Bikers Union organises this event every two years. According to the news there were over a 1,000 bikes. It certainly sounded like it!
Most of the riders were very cheery and some waved as they drove past.
There were some females riders amongst the group.
After seeing the bikers I went over to the river where a Wasserfest (Water Festival) was taking place. Most of the events were centred around children as here where a presenter got the kids worked up by telling them that one of their favourite characters was coming in a couple of minutes.
The presenter had the children sing along to the German version of 'If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands..' Which the children did clapping their hands, stamping their feet and shouting.
There were more events for the children including this fun event which involved them being inside inflatables and rolling around. I wanted to join in but the water looked too deep for me.
And finally for the last Berlin photo I will leave you with a mystery. I found this church near the festival. But where is the spire? Did it fall off? Did they run out of money and couldn't finish it? Answers in the comments box please.
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