#37

Metropolis Berlin. Cosmopolitan Berlin. Yes? No? 
Well, if there is a German city, that deserves both attributes, it definitely is Berlin. Not only concerning size and number of inhabitants the German capital has no need to hide in the rows of the world´s big cities. Let´s take a closer look at this subject. 

Humboldtforum for example deals with Berlin´s relationship with the rest of the world in its exhibition “Berlin Global“. The history of this relationship wasn´t always bright, as we all know, but it has certainly changed for the better significantly. Just take a look for yourself! (Insider tip: every first Sunday of the month you can enjoy a visit of the museum for free. The next time would be 01 May.)

Let´s stay in Germany for a little while. Hamburg´s Elbphilharmonie surely is a beauty, no doubt about that. But our Philharmonie is no ugly duckling either. And just for your information: it took Hamburg 16 years to finish their philharmony´s building. Ours was opened after 37 months of construction. Just saying.

Take that, Munich! 
Berlin does not only have two, but three town halls! Somehow. From old to new and back to old. Or something like that. 

In the middle picture you can see Altes Stadthaus at square Molkenmarkt. At the end of the 19th century it turned out that the brandnew Rotes Rathaus (eng.: red town hall), the town hall for the rapidly growing Great-Berlin, would not be large enough for the administration of the new city. So it was decided to build a second one just around the corner - well, why not? 

The Rotes Rathaus is our old new one. It has always been the town hall for all of Berlin. During the German division the red town hall was just responsible for East Berlin. Today all of us have got our landmark back. 

And our new old one would be Schöneberg Town Hall. It was West Berlin´s town hall and today it is “just“ a place of remarkable historical significance (“Ich bin ein Berliner“) and the office for the district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg. 

Sorry, Munich, but we definitely won this round!

So, let´s go global! New York City´s Brooklyn Bridge is worldknown. But Oberbaum Bridge should also be a familiar sight to most thanks to its engagements in famous movies as “Run, Lola, Run“ or “Unknown“. When it comes to the looks of both … well, our opinion is biased, we admit it.

Paris´ Arc de Triomphe is connected to the city of love (and we have to discuss this term, too! Preferably at square Nollendorfplatz, capital of love, of course) as closely as the Eiffel Tower. But we just want to point out, that our Brandenburg Gate was built almost twenty years earlier. At square Pariser Platz! So we think this is the time to be generous and tell Paris: you´re welcome. We have so many ideas, you can have some of them.

Speaking of landmarks: London´s red phone booths fascinate the young and the old. In 2022 we lose this round to the British capital. But as we are good losers we spare you any mean comment on Brexit. Promised. And if you want one nevertheless, you know where to find us.

Oh, Lake Garda … that awakens desires. Great food, mild climate, Sirmione´s water castle is simply beautiful. But have you ever been to Sirmione in summer? No, let us correct the question: have you ever tried to even get on the small peninsula? Once you made it through the tiny castle gate, your reward is being pushed through the small streets by estimatedly 40,000 tourists, passing by plastic souvenirs and cafés. There you can finally have your hard-earned cappuccino for ridiculous 4.50€. 

No, thanks! We would rather stay in Berlin and enjoy the romantic view of the moat around Spandau Citadel and the creative atmosphere of its courtyards, galleries and event venues.

Should nature lovers think we had no feeling for the green and the fauna didn´t play a role for us, anyway, they would be terribly mistaken. Our main parc Tiergarten (517 ha) beats New York´s Central Parc´s size (349 ha) clearly. The number and variety of the city´s dogs and doggies is enourmos (due to an empiric study, conducted strictly scientficly by the Orania.Team). And what the Galapagos Land Iguana is to the famous islands, is something we actually invented. Our wild rabbits might not be endemic, Berlin is not elitist enough for that. But Berlin´s rabbits are the only ones to speak Berliner Schnauze, the famous dialect of the Berlin people. You can´t believe that? Well, just talk to one of the cute and very friendly rabbits the next time you are here. We are looking forward to your report.