By Erin Regier
A reconstruction of the Pergamon Altar.
If they were to give an award for most tours completed in a day, I think the concert choir might take the prize!
We began our day with a tour of the German parliament building. The main attraction was the giant glass dome, complete with spiral walkways ascending to the very top. The history behind the dome was interesting, but for me the real highlight was the view. From the top of the dome it was possible to see most of the major landmarks in the city!
After that we moved on to the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe. We began the tour by walking through a field of concrete slabs; each one differing in height. It was a solem experience, realizing that each slab was representing lives that had been lost. As we exited the field, choir members commented on how the experience made them feel “lost, “uneasy” and that it had an “impersonal” feel. The rest of the museum is underground. It highlighted many individual’s stories throughout the musuem. While emotionally draining, it was definitely a worthwhile experience!
Last we visited the Pergamon Museum, which houses many life size reconstructions of ancient monumental buildings. It was mind-blowing to be able to visualize these ancient buildings, as well as to see some ancient artifacts!
It was a jam-packed day, but a great way to get to know the city and its history. With one more day left in Berlin, I’m excited to continue this adventure!