Aug 22 2025

A lovely morning to walk down along the river to the Reichstag for our walking tour. Apparently it is the most visited parliament building in the world. And apparently the German Bundestag has the third largest number of “parliamentarians” (after China and the UK). Brilliant architectural design, melding modern glass and light with the original 1880s building. The glass addition presented its own problems: heat. Thus the addition of a large louver that has to rotate around during the day the child the direct heat of the sun. The Riechstag was originally placed where it was because, allegedly, the Kaiser said, “Yeah sure you can have your parliament, but outside the city walls because I’m still the boss” There was also a simple yet poignant memorial to the 96 German parliamentarians murdered by the Nazi’s. A powerful reminder that the Nazi’s first incarcerated and executed Germans who were opposed to them.

Continuing with the memorials, we passed one to the Romany that were murdered by the Nazi’s before reaching the Brandenburg Gate. Just beyond was the very stark Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Very sombre. Yet sadly not somber enough to stop some climbing up on the blocks. Then past a remnant of the Berlin Wall to Potsdamer Platz where we were able to find some Currywurst to tick off some more German cuisine.

Over lunch we then decided we would make use of our “free” hop on and hop off tickets to do just that, our eventual target being the Charlottenberg Palace. It was nice to retreat from the bustle of the city for a bit and enjoy the quiet of the gardens.

Making our way back (after dinner of some much needed vegetables/salad!) our target was again the Spree as we had seen the sign sating that there would be a light show “at dusk”. It was already 7pm by the time we were wandering back and so we thought we were pretty close to on time. And when the “wine ladies” arrived with their chairs, table (and wine) we understandably thought, “Any moment now”. 

To fill in time we kept doing small circuits from the viewing point thus we chanced upon the groups down in the lee of the Paul-Lobe-Haus by the river having dancing lessons. What a wonderful way to gather in the evening. However, when at 9pm (!) we just felt we couldn’t last, we walked back along the river towards the station passing even more groups out dancing in the summer evening.