June 28 Berlin

    Summer weather arrived today and it felt especially warm because it's been so unseasonably cool. 
     Nevertheless, I set out to explore a part of Berlin where I've never been, which isn't hard to do in this city. I chose Kollwitzplatz in the former East.
This mural on a school at Kollwitzplatz depicts the area in the 19th century with its elevated reservoir.  It was filled in 100 years ago and is an elevated public park. The area is completely urban now.
Adjacent to this elevated park is a water tower that was constructed in 1877 and it was shut down in 1914 as obsolete.  It's had some interesting and nefarious history but is now a residential building.
Just around the corner from  Kollwitzplatz was a 2 block long Saturday market featuring all kinds of produce and locally produced cheeses, breads, and ready to eat food.
A short walk further is Berlin's largest synagogue, the Rykestrasse Synagogue, which was not burned down during Kristallnacht because it is located in the middle of a residential block.  The synagogue can't be seen from the street and is accessed through an archway in the front building.  I couldn't get in.

     For the evening we went to the Waldbühne, a 22,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre adjacent to the 1936 Olympic Stadium, for a Berlin Philharmonic concert conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.  It included music by Aaron Copeland and Leonard Bernstein.  I think it was completely sold out. Great evening.
View from the top
View from our seat



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