Three Ways to See Berlin_# Three

#3_Under the Microscope

Documentation Centre in the late evening light

With only a few hours left, now was the time to decide on what sites were “important” for us to cover before leaving Berlin.  Alighting at the Brandenburg Gate, we made our way back to the Topography of Terror (for him) and thankfully (for her) just next door to the Martin Gropius Bau, featuring artworks from the vast private collection of Reinhold Würth.

The Topography of Terror considers the worst of the Third Reich on the site of buildings once used as the headquarters by SS and Gestapo during the Nazi regime (1933 to 1945).  The site comprises of a section of the wall, relatively graffiti free, a trench and once underground Gestapo cellars where prisoners were interrogated, tortured and executed, a pavilion or documentation centre and park.  Models, photos and text displayed both inside and out of the museum scrutinise the horror and terror that shadowed over Europe. 

Martin Gropius Bau

Spectacular column bases

Martin Gropius Bau is a sumptuous pink confection of neo-classicism thankfully saved from the ruins of Berlin’s bombing (WW2) and restored to its former glory.  Although somewhat at odds against the sparse and minimalistic architecture of the Topography of Terror next door, it glows with positivism.  This delightful building was designed by architect Martin Gropius (family to Walter of Bauhaus fame) and completed in 1881 to house an Arts and Crafts museum.  Arts & Crafts was a counter-movement to the rigours of the Industrial Revolution that swept Europe.  It was at its peak between 1880 to 1910 with William Morris one of its better known advocates.  The gallery now offers space for touring exhibitions and the banner that caught GS’s eye “From Hockney to Holbein” led her to discover an exhibition even more incredible than she imagined.

Remembering the building's Arts & Crafts background on the walls

The exhibition is made up from the art collection of just one man, Reinhold Würth, who owns one of the largest private collections in Europe.  He has, over the years since 1964 gathered more than 16,800 pieces that range from medieval, to post-war and modern-day art.  Not only is the collection vast but Würth has managed to acquire pieces from internationally known and respected masters of their genre. It was definitely time to strap on the roller skates as the Gropius Bau advised the showing covered a selection of 435 art works through 27 rooms over 5,000 square meters. (No photos allowed but get a really good idea from this youtube vid link.  Remember, it is modern art...) This exhibition remains open until January 10, 2016.  Give yourself more than 2 hours to digest it!

A group farewell dinner at a delightful restaurant in Friedrichshain heralded the end of our oh so short stay in Berlin and 29 days of togetherness for the group.  No more late nights sharing loud music and shots with the uni crowd in Berlin for us.  We had a train to catch and a promise of beers to sample – it was countdown to the Oktoberfest in Munich!