Berlin travelogue - part III

Berlin tip #8 - Pergamon Museum

On an island in the river Spree you'll find five world-renowned museums gathered in an amazing ensemble of beautiful buildings, squares and courtyards. The complex is called 'Museumsinsel' (Museum Island), and very much worth a visit.

My favorite is the Pergamon Museum, and even if you have only an hour to spare, it will be worth the time.

The first thing you see when you step inside, is the amazing 2nd century BC Pergamon Altar. It takes your breath away. Just take a seat on the marble staircase leading up to the altar, and let the audio guide (included in the ticket price) transport you into a different world... Babylon's high priests and kings bringing sacrifices to the altar, and greek gods in the middle of their victorious battle against the giants...

 The altar's frieze details and a mosaic fragment (bottom left shows the Milet Market Gate)

Other highlights include the Milet Market Gate (a detail above, bottom row left) and the glazed blue brick Ishtar Gate of Babylon (below)



If you have more time, you can wander through the beautiful collections of Islamic Art.

Visitor's entrance:
Bodestraße 1-3
10178 Berlin  (Museum island)
Pergamon Museum


Berlin tip #9 - Clärchen's Ballhaus

The "Clärchen's Ballhaus" is a Berlin instituion, and one of the last remaining dancehalls from the 1920's. It opened in 1913, and has a rich and colorful history. 

The downstairs ballroom is still reminicent of the shortages in communist post war East Berlin, and in keeping with the style, the tables are decorated with carnations and wine bottles as candlesticks, and the walls are covered in tinsel.

To this day, you can come and dance swing, cha-cha, tango or waltz in the evenings, take dance classes, or enjoy the restaurant's excellent traditional german food.

After WWII, the mirrored ballroom upstairs was closed and lay dormant for sixty years... 

 

it has been left untouched since it reopened in 2005, and can be rented for private functions and events, transporting you back into another era...

Clärchen's Ballhaus
Auguststraße 24
10117 Berlin

Tel: +49 (0)30 28 29 295

www.ballhaus.de

Berlin tip #10 -Hackesche Höfe

From 'Clärchen's Ballhaus' it is just a short distance to the 'Hackesche Höfe' (Höfe means courtyards), which are located across from the bustling 'Hackeschen Markt' café and restaurant area. The Höfe consist of beautifully restored houses, which are interconnected by tranquil and charming courtyards.

The courtyards house an array of small shops and galleries. 'Hoffnung Berlin' is located in courtyard no 4, and makes made to measure belts. The concept is easy... you chose a buckle, a strap and a tip, and after you have been measured, your belt will be made for you in about 15 minutes.

 

Belts are displayed on vintage leather sports benches and medicine balls, which reminded me of gym classes in primary school.

It was a lovely surprise to see an exact twin of my favourite non-Hermès belt

 

It has featured in many blog posts, and I have often been asked where it comes from.

I bought it almost 15 years ago at a small boutique in London and have never seen it anywhere else since. For those who are interested, the good news is that it is part of the boutique's permanent collection, and can also be ordered online: Belt Eisenhans

Hoffnung Berlin (Mo-Fri: 11am to 7pm, Sat: 10am to 6pm)
Hackesche Höfe (Hof IV)
Entrance: Rosenthaler Strasse 40/41
10178 Berlin-Mitte 
Tel: +49 (0)30 288 668 08
www.hoffung-berlin.de

Berlin tip #11 - Quartier 206

Quartier 206 Friedrichstrasse

The Friedrichstrasse in Berlin Mitte is a wonderful shopping area, lined with boutiques, bookstores, and restaurants. At number 71, you find the Quartier 206 shopping mall.

The mall has an array of great shops, and it also houses the 'Department store 206', which reminded me of Paris's 'Bon Marché'. Although much smaller, it offers a wonderful selection and mix of brands.

 The Department store's entrance

It is where I bought my souvenirs

silk tunic 'Darla' and cotton tunic 'Tory', both by Tory Burch

Departmentstore 206
Friedrichstrasse 71
10117 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0)30 2094 6800
Quartier 206 Department Store