#35

„Über sieben Brücken musst Du geh´n“ (eng.: you have to cross seven bridges) is what Karat knew way back in the seventies. We consider the lyrics of this cheesy pop song a call for action and are heading off to our seven favourite bridges in Berlin right now. It wasn´t that easy to decide, though: in 2016 Berlin already had 960 of them and therefore comes fourth after Amsterdam and before Venice in the European ranking.

We start in the district of Mitte, where the Weidendammer bridge helps us cross the river Spree following famous Friedrichstraße. In the East we can wave to the TV tower and Bode museum (see picture at the very beginning), in the West the sun goes down between Berliner Ensemble and so called Tränenpalast (eng.: palace of tears). That´s Berlin!

Not far from here we already reach the government district. We took a walk here together about a year ago, do you remember? The Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Steg connects the Paul-Löbe-Haus with Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus - among the Reichstag building the main buildings of the Bundestag, the German parliament. The narrow bridge is pubilcly accessible - for all who are not afraid of heights.

It was once made of wood, during World War II its statues were removed as precautionary measure and during its times in the GDR its name was Marx-Engels bridge: the Schlossbrücke (eng.: castle bridge) looks back on a turbulent history. Standing on top of it we can look upon the Berlin Cathedral as well as the James-Simon gallery of Pergamonmuseum and the Berlin City Palace on the other side.

We admit that these bridges are a bit like Mr. Tur Tur for Jim Button and Luke the engine driver. The friendly gentleman is only a fake giant - this is kind of a fake bridge. At least these overpasses, which you can find in all of the city, are not accessible for cars or pedestrians (neither for bikes, e-scooters or inline skates, exactly). Only the Berlin suburban railway and underground allow us some nice sightseeing tours up here. Yes, underground trains that drive above ground, that was not a writing mistake - our readers from New York City know this paradox, of course.

We have walked the 78 meters of Abtei bridge already to get from Treptower Park to the Isle of Youth. But we haven´t discussed the connection of the name of this small island and the decorative blue hearts on the pavement. The “bridge of hearts“ was initiated in 2005 as part of the Treptow festival. Since then a heart was given to those persons and institutions that have engaged strongly for the wellbeing of children. Children vote in public every time someone is about to be awarded with this special prize. This is why the group of heart winners is delightfully colourful: from Herman van Veen and Audrey Hepburn as well as S-Bahn Berlin and Stephen Hawking to Knut the ice bear of the Berlin Zoo we can find all parts of the smallest ones´ social spectrum.

It´s just a jump to the West - and here we are, standing in front of the Charlottenburg Palace. By the way: this red beauty is the second oldest steel bridge still existing in Berlin. It is 220 years old, but with only twelve metres of length it didn´t really grow up. But that doesn´t affect the pretty view, does it?

Of course we cannot miss the probably best known of all of Berlin´s bridges on our tour: the Oberbaum bridge. We have accompanied a running Lola here, where the districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg come together. By the way: this is one of the bridges you can as well cross by foot, car, bike or even by underground train. Following our own theory from above: is this a fake bridge, then? We will ask Mr. Tur Tur. He knows about the phenomenon. 

Lucky number seven! We have crossed our seven bridges now. From here it will take another four times seven minutes - and we have walked back home. Where we stick to Joy Fleming: Ein Lied kann ein Brücke sein (eng.: a song can be a bridge). But which song? And a bridge leading us where? Well, you better find out for yourselves enjoying one of our concerts. We are looking forward to seeing you!