| |
Fishing vacation 101
Universally, the term "gone fishing" is associated with vacations. In that case planning a fishing vacation should be nothing more then a natural choice. Fishing combines sport, relaxation, communing with nature and free food and hence qualifies as the ...
Hike these 5 great Wisconsin trails
A good hike can be great exercise, a ritual to calm the spirit, a chance to connect with the earth. It is a way to get to know nature by its species, and your soul by its moods. It is an opportunity to build a friendship, acknowledge your heritage or ...
Jasper – Travel to Canada’s Rocky Mountain Paradise
Mention the Canadian Rockies, and most people instantly think of Banff. As the main tourist destination in the Rockies, Banff is very much a commercial town geared to tourism. But for those who like their Rockies a little quieter, 250 kilometres north is ...
|
|
|
|
| |
X. Erotik Museum
This "museum" lies on the corner of the seediest-looking block in Berlin. The museum in its exhibits honors the "queen of the Rubber Willy" herself, Beate Uhse. It's a household name here in Germany. Her life is documented from her days at the "Deutsche Luftwaffe" to pictures of her at the helm of a large speedboat. This septuagenarian opened the world's first shop devoted to "marital hygiene," ultimately championing the right to sell contraceptives. Today she still heads the world's largest sex-related merchandising business. Downstairs are video cabins filled with middle-aged men in raincoats and a "sex superstore."
However, you start out on the third floor and work your way down (there is no sexual pun intended). Eventually, it is hard to believe, that it has become the fifth most visited museum in Berlin. The museum shelters 5,000 sexual artifacts from around the world. Asian and Indian miniatures of erotic positions; African fertility masks; large carved phalli from Bali; or some Chinese wedding tiles from the 18th and 19th century that were supposed to provide sexual education to a newly married couple. Life-size dioramas explore topics such as fetishism and S&M. Well-worth visiting.
XI. Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is considered as Europeans most beautiful square, so a must see for every tourist. Here you will find three historical buildings; the "Konzerthaus" (Concert House), the "Deutscher Dom" (German Cathedral), and the "Franzoesischer Dom" (French Cathedral).
The square was laid out from 1688 to the plans of J.A. Nering. It was originally known as Linden Markt, then Friedrichstädtischer Markt or Neuer Markt. Because the square was used by a curassier regiment "gens d'arms," from 1736–82, complete with sentry boxes and stables, the name Gendarmenmarkt arose. From 1777, the square was developed according to unified plans drawn up by Georg Christian Unger. It was badly damaged in the Second World War. On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Prussian Academy of the Sciences (Akademie der Wissenschaften), it was renamed "Platz der Akademie." In 1991, its previous name was restored.
==> Konzerthaus
The Konzerthaus is the new building designed by Karl
Friedrich Schinkel to replace the Nationaltheater built from 1800–02 by Karl Gotthard Langhans, which was burnt to the ground in 1817. The conception of the Konzerthaus integrates the remains of Langhan's rectangular building and adds a higher, wider, gabled solidium in the center, complete with an ionic columned hall projecting at the front. Following its destruction in the Second World War, the building was initially only made safe, and the systematic restoration of the original design only began in 1979. Since its reopening in 1984 it has served not as a theatre, but as a concert hall.
==> Deutscher Dom
The German Cathedral was built from 1701-08. M. Grünberg planned it, and Giovanni Simonetti built it. From 1780-85, during the redesigning of the Gendarmenmarkt, Carl von Gontard added the domed tower onto the cathedral. The cathedral was destroyed in the Second World War as well. However, it had been reconstructed and rebuilt. The reopening was on October 2nd, 1996, five years after the reunification.
==> Franzoesischer Dom
The Französische Friedrichstadtkirche was built from 1701-05 by Cayart. He designed it as a church for Berlin's Huguenot community. From 1780-85, the imposing tower of the French cathedral (Französischer Dom) was added to plans by Unger and Gontard as part of the redesigning of Gendarmenmarkt. In the World War 2, the cathedral was badly damaged. However, from 1977 on it was rebuilt and reconstructed.
And, how was the journey? Did you shoot enough photos? I hope so... :-) And did you recognize, that I gave you 11 instead of 10 tips? Good! :-)
Well, that’s it! What? You want more? No problem, visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/berlin.html for updates and more.
However, enjoy your trips!
Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All Rights Reserved
About the Author
Marcus Hochstadt has a high interest in helping you gain the delightful form of a smart travel to and through Germany. Just recently, he has written a special report on How to Travel for Free! You can download it at http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/freetravel
|
|
|
|
|
|
