How to Plan an International Trip: Travel Tales and Tips : Berlin Trip Report, Day 5, Part 1: Kaiser Wilhelm Church, Schloss Charlottenburg, East side Gallery

DAY 5, April 16, 2019, Tuesday:

Our main target for the day was Charlottenburg Palace.

It opens only at 10 am. I saw that Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche ) near it opens at 9 am and decided we'll start with it for the day.

No 100 bus is famous for going thru several nice sights in Berlin. We went to Brandenburger Tor by U55. We caught BUS 100 ZOO, sat at the top deck front and enjoyed the scenery.

This is Große Stern (the Great star) victory column

One of Berlin's most interesting landmarks, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche 9-19) is in many ways two churches: the ultra-modern new church designed in 1961, and next to it, the ruins of the original, including most of the 63-meter-high tower. Completed in 1895 in honor of Emperor Wilhelm I, the original was destroyed in 1943, but its remains were incorporated into the new complex.

The old one was not open when we reached at 9.30; we sat in the new church and enjoyed the live organ music.

At 9.45, the old church opened and we trooped in.

This major Berlin landmark that also serves as a war memorial, with exhibits installed containing mosaic remains, architectural remnants, and photos.

The centerpiece is a figure of Christ from the old church and a Cross of Nails from Coventry Cathedral, destroyed by German bombs earlier in WWII.

The Charlottenburg Palace ( Schloss Charlottenburg )

We then went onward to charlottenburg palace,

From church headed west 300 m to STOP Kurfürstendamm, were confused about direction, bus driver guided us to the correct stop for our bus. We took Bus 109 Flughafen Tegel Airport, 15 min, 9 stops, got down at Luisenplatz/Schloss Charlottenburg (Berlin)

Walked 350 m, 4 min to the Palace

Schloss Charlottenburg is open (10-6) April – October: Tue-Sun 10-18 , 17 Euro

Berlin's oldest and largest Prussian estate, the late 17th-century Charlottenburg Palace was for decades the primary residence of German royalty. Constructed between 1695 and 1699 in a baroque style, it was commissioned by the wife of Friedrich I of Prussia as a summer residence. Sophie Charlotte died in 1705 just 36 years old and did not see the finished version of the Palace. In her memory, the King renamed the mansion Charlottenburg

Beautifully restored, this huge palace has extraordinary features, including a massive 50-meter-high central dome, opulent Baroque and Rococo décor throughout its expansive rooms, as well as the Grand Courtyard with its large statue of Frederick William of Brandenburg and a large garden inspired by the gardens at Versailles.

[ The Baroque style is very dramatic. It has architectural plans based on an oval, curved lines, rooms are long and narrow with contrast in lighting done with the use of windows, there is use of bright,dark colors, vividly painted ceilings, lots of ornaments made of wood, stucco, or marble.

The Rococo style is similar to Baroque but it emphasizes soft, pastel colors and nature.]

A highlight of the property's tour program is a visit to the New Wing (Neuer Flügel), with its State Apartments and fine Banqueting Halls. Built in 1746, it's here visitors get a glimpse of the splendor in which the Prussian Kings and Electors lived, from Frederick I's bedroom and study with their fine furnishings and paintings, to the State Dining Room and 42-meter-long rococo ballroom Golden Gallery with its rich, gilded stucco.

First up is the sculpture hall

Next is the Banqueting Hall

Golden Gallery:

These rooms have the loveliest Tapestries... from Don Quixote

Parquet flooring...

Bed Chamber:

East Indian Chintz Room:

Chamber

Library:

We visited the adjacent wing New Pavilion (Neue Pavilion), built in 1788 in the style of a Neapolitan villa, located in the Palace Park dating from 1697