My solo travels in Belgium and Germany were completely possible thanks to the train and subway systems of each country.
There was definitely a learning curve when I first entered the Central Station in Antwerp. Let’s just say I had no idea that the ticket only indicated the final destination of the train, and not your specific destination.
These are the moments when we have to ask a lot of questions and scramble through the crowds to make the train right before the doors close on you.
Yay learning!
Anyways, I wanted to point out some of the incredible things that I was able to do thanks the affordability and punctuality of trains and subways in these two amazing countries. But since there is a LOT to talk about in each location, let’s just focus this post on the city of Berlin.
Believe it or not, I was able to travel to 15 different locations/ sites all over Berlin in a single day ! ( + a few hours the next morning— I’m not superwoman).
That’s right— I made a list of sites, coordinated the time I would spend in each place, took note of what routes I would take, and BAM— saw more of the city in one day (and a half) than I ever could have hoped for. Thanks easy-to-use public transportation!!
Now— let’s go through that wonderful summer day, shall we?
Stop #1: Le Corbusier’s Unite d’ Habitat
I have to say— this is a very quiet and isolated place. I guess I don’t know what else I was expecting, I mean… it is a living complex.
Perhaps the history behind it and the revolutionary aspects it brought to architecture made me think that I would have this huge “whoaaaa” moment— but I didn’t.
I wasn’t allowed inside or on the roof, so bear in mind that my experience was only of the building’s exterior and its surroundings. Because of this, I walked around the building twice, sketched a little, and had a second breakfast at a nearby bench while admiring the famous architectural apartment complex.
Once I was satisfied with my visit, I waved goodbye and hopped on the bus towards my next destination.
Stop #2: Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
I knew about this building from my history classes at school. I’d seen photos of it before and after the war, but seeing it in person was something I’ll never forget. It was like traveling back in time.
Stop #3: Bauhaus
After riding three different buses, I finally arrived at the famous Bauhaus— another building I wasn’t allowed in!
I have to say though, it was fun to just roam around the site. There’s ramps all around it that allowed me to see into various rooms and experience the building differently with every step.
Stop #4: Sony Center
Great place for lunch. I wasn’t there long, but the open air “mall” was just a cool spot to eat my sandwich next to a fountain.
Stop #5: Philharmonie
Yet another building I wasn’t allowed in!
I think by this point you’ve figured out that besides efficient transportation, the fact that I couldn’t actually go inside all these buildings allowed me to go to a lot of different places much faster.
That’s besides the point though— It was still cool to see these buildings face to face and see their relationship to their environment.
Here, the site was very interesting as well. There were a lot of ramps and stairs that let me through different level entries to the Philharmonic. Every turn was a new discovery — which motivated me to continue walking up the ramps despite my dehydration.
Stop #6: Reconciliation Church
Another building I had learned about in history class— and yes, I was actually allowed in to see this one.
There were so many beautiful things about this church. The history behind it, the materials, the concept, and the experience. All of these things came together to make a simple yet powerful work of art that honestly took my breath away.
Inside, I sat in silence for about 30 minutes, and read about why the church was built in that specific place. I’ll give you a hint— it had to do with the reconciliation of East and West Berlin. Pretty cool.
Stop #7: Berlin Wall
Not a far walk from the Reconciliation Church, of course. The wall was enclosed inside another wall to block the visibility from the street, and wow… When I turned the corner to discover the wall, it was very shocking.
The moment was quite unique. I hear the Berlin Wall is a place often visited by tourists, but at this specific moment, I was completely alone facing the infamous site. The day was gloomy, the air was quiet, and I found myself starring at the tower looming over the wall for minutes in silence— trying to reflect on its unsettling history.
I could have read everything there was to read about the division of Berlin beforehand, but I honestly don’t think any of it would have made me feel the way I felt standing next to that Wall. At that moment for me, the words and stories in books became physical.
Stop #8: Berlin Wall Museum
After seeing the Berlin Wall, I headed across the street and took my time reading about various people who lived in Berlin during the time the city was divided. I spent about an hour and a half in this small museum just reading and reading. Every story had a way to move me, shock me, and inspire me.
Stop #9: Gendaemenmarkt
At this point, it was time to eat, so I made my way to Gendaemenmarkt to see what I could find. Doing this definitely beat sitting alone in a restaurant.
It was super interesting to just roam around the market and see all the locals get their weekly supply of veggies, scoops of gelato, and just enjoying the day.
Stop #10: Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt
A museum that wasn't on my list, but glad I stumbled upon. It’s hidden near the market in a colorful and busy alley, yet it’s very quiet when you go in there. All you hear are the cracks of the doors and floor, as you let the incredibly preserved artifacts paint you a picture of the work that went on inside that space.
Stop #11: Anne Frank Zentrum
I knew my stuff about Anne Frank, but seeing a whole array of photographs and videos about her life before her family’s hiding was quite an experience. There always seems to be something to learn about her story, and this museum definitely painted a wider picture of her life.
Stop #12: Jewish Memorial
This stop left me speechless. I walked through the gaps between the masses and suddenly lost my sense of direction. All I have to say is, photographs do not give this moving monument justice— it has to be experienced first hand.
Stop #13: Reichstag
I won’t show a photo of Foster’s incredible design of the new inside of this building to not ruin it. I’m sure you can still be spoiled if you just look it up online, but don’t do it! Believe it or not, I actually hadn’t seen too many pictures of it before I visited Reichstag (yes, I am an architecture major), so when I finally saw the ramps, the material, and the grandness of it all… I was definitely taken aback.
But beyond the coolness of the space, I appreciated the message of the project— two different eras of architecture coming together… but, of course, this isn’t about architecture at all, is it?
Stop #14: Berlin Cathedral
I was surprised over and over again by this Cathedral. Part of it was that I wasn’t even aware that there was a museum inside of it, or that I could even climb to the Dome! Crazy!!
Something that I was definitely NOT expecting was being afraid for my life when I got to the dome— and not because of the altitude. When you get to the top— there’s an amazing view of the entire city that words cannot even describe, but as you walk the circumference, there are small spaces you must walk through that basically become wind tunnels, and well… it was a VERY windy summer day in Berlin. Honestly, if I ever though that I would actually be flown away by the wind, this was it. I actually thought the wind was going to push me off the Dome of the Berlin Cathedral. Can’t believe I’m saying that…
Stop #15: Parochialkirche Church
All day I had seen posters throughout the city advertising a Summer Solstice Music Festival. I discarded them because I thought I’d obviously need a ticket, so I just focused on my planned destinations. By around 7:30 pm, I started to hear voices singing among the trees— almost angelic. I was so drawn by these voices that I abandoned my plans to visit one last museum to follow the songs.
The more I walked and heard the voices, the more I allowed myself to get lost in Berlin and turn off google maps. I eventually discovered that the voices came from an adult choir singing their own reigniting of famous Queen songs. It was then that I realized that the Summer Music Festival was a tradition in which people go out into the streets and sing for free. It was probably one of the coolest moments of that day— heck, of my entire trip.
I walked around and found more choirs all around the plazas singing their favorite songs and having fun. Eventually, I made my way to a small church where I saw different choirs go in.
I sat in a corner and spent about an hour inside that church. I drew the altar, the people, and the architecture— trying to capture the incredible beauty I was witnessing. But what really made the whole moment special, were the voices of the choirs echoing inside the walls. What an experience…
Sometimes I wish I had recorded their performances, or taken more pictures of that church, but then I remember how disconnected I was from the world… in a good way. I allowed myself to lose track of time and just sit and witness the beauty.
Stopping and just being in the moment is probably the biggest lesson I learned on this day in Berlin. Taking photos and running around getting to different destinations is great, but taking it all in once in a while is not so bad either.
So, that was my day in Berlin. Not bad for a little over 30 hours! I was truly impressed with every aspect of the city— the transportation, the food, the architecture, the parks… everything. Looking back at that day, I really cannot believe everything that I was able to see, but hopefully next time I’ll be able give myself at least a few extra days in the city…
or simply give myself extra hours by not sleeping… architecture school trained me well for that.