Treasure Island

Today we headed off to another example of German efficiency, Museum Island.  The five major museums in Berlin are grouped together on a small island.  This has become a Unesco World Heritage Sight.  Of the five museums the two we are most interested in are the Pergamon and the Neues Museum.  

Unfortunately the star attraction of the Pergamon, it's name sake alter, is under refurbishment until 2019.  That notwithstanding the rest of the exhibits are breathtaking, specifically Ishtar Gate and the Market Gate of Miletus.  

The Ishtar Gate and its accompanying processional are from Babylon around 600 B.C.  It is spectacularly adorned with blue tiles and gold reliefs of animals.  The Market Gate is a marble monument built in the 2nd century A.D.  It was destroyed in an earthquake in the 10th or 11th century and was rebuilt in the Pergamon.

Next stop, the Neues Museum. The star attraction here is the bust of Queen Nefertiti of Ancient Egypt.  This thirty three year old painted stucco-coated limestone bust has become a cultural symbol of Berlin as well as of ancient Egypt and is breathtakingly beautiful in person.  Another interesting bust is known as the Berlin Green Head.  This statue is an amazingly modern-looking and realistic representation especially considering it dates from 100 B.C.   

All this museuming tired us out so we proceeded to drift across the river Spree for some lunch.  We stopped to admire a beautiful Muslim bride who was having her wedding photos taken.  Our lunch on the banks of the Spree was so enjoyable that Judy's sweet crepes attracted all the wasps in Berlin.   

We headed a little deeper into East Berlin to visit the East Side Gallery.  The gallery is a one mile long strip of the Berlin Wall which has been covered in murals.  We were a little disappointed to see most of the wall behind fencing, however, the portions that weren't covered were badly defaced with graffiti.  

Heading home we noted that East Berlin has a totally different and not near as pleasant vibe as the western section.  

One last stop - the Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe.  This is a large site covered with 2700 various sized concrete blocks set up in rows.  Although there is absolutely no descriptive text anywhere the effect is quite moving.