Crisp and clear

That how it was this morning and 1C. We have been quite lucky with the weather as it hasn't been windy and it hasn't rained but it has been cloudy till today. Blue skies and sunshine meant that this climb up to the dome of the Dom gave us great views over the city.

I chose this view as it encompasses the area around our hotel and where we walked today. The hotel is immediately behind the small ball on this cupola just behind the the Hackesher Markt (where the railway station is)  So we chose to take a closer look at this area on the northern edge of Mitte on our last day, not too far we thought.
We walked up Orienbergerstrasse which is known for being a bit alternative and lively at night. This took us past the Neue Synagogue, the shiny dome of which can be seen on the left. It was defiled on Krystalnacht in 1938 but not destroyed until bombed in 1943. Now restored it was sad to see two policemen patrolling in front of it.  We continued to the northern edge of the former Eastern sector of Berlin where there is a Wall Memorial at the frontier of what would have been the French sector. Lots of people there including groups of young people.

Returning down Grosse Hamburger Strasse and stopping for a coffee outdoors in the sunshine we found ourselves in the centre of the former Jewish community of old Berlin. We had read about 'stumbling stones' in one of the museums where the aim is to place brass commemoration plaques on the pavements where former Jewish individuals, families and businesses existed and we saw lots of these here. The spire in the centre here is the Sophien church on this street. It was visited by Martin Luther King in secret in 1964 and is alongside the oldest Jewish cemetery in Berlin with a haunting commemorative sculpture.

At the bottom of the street back where we started is the Hackescher Hofe. A restoration of Art Nouveau buildings built in 1906 with tiled courtyards and many individual shops including the original Amplemann shop! (See Weds blip). It was beautifully done.

Crossing the R Spree to the cathedral on Museum Island (you can see some of the not old 'ancient' buildings) The idea was for a bit of rest and comtemplation but of course when there are steps to climb and a view to see, you just have to do it! Well we do! As it was such a lovely day it was worth it and we had a restorative Gluhwein in the cathedral cafe when we got back down. (On the horison we spotted what we think might be the only hill in Berlin, everywhere is totally flat as it was built on marshland)

Our last day nearly over our final visit was to the DDR Museum - the communist Deutsche Democratic Republic -  on the river bank here, just out of sight. It was well done and interesting as it is an era within memory for us. A couple of memorable facts: children in kindergarten were all expected to do things at the same time so stayed on their potties until everyone was finished (apparently caused some phsychological issues in adulthood!) and you had to wait 16 years for your Trabant car!

We got the train to the airport as the sun was disappearing and we are now home, pooped.
A fascinating city and a great time to go with Christmas markets on almost every corner, we have read that there are 80! I hope I haven't dwealt too much on the history of the city but I don't think you can visit Berlin without it touching you. Thanks for all you comments and stars over the last few days.
Happy 4th weekend in Advent.