Then & Now Archives • Page 2 of 2 • a journey threw my mind

July 28, 2020February 16, 2021

Straße des 17 Juni

View of the Straße des 17 Juni from 2020

Although these two images appear to show the same scene, albeit a century apart, they do in fact show two differing locations, as the Siegessäule shown way in the distance was actually situated until 1939 at Königsplatz, the head of the Siegesallee, in front of the Bundestag.

It was moved by the Nazis shortly before the outbreak of WWII as part of Berlin’s restructuring to become the new German capital called Germania, to its present location at the Großer Stern on what was then called the Charlottenburger Chaussee, but is now known as the Straße des 17 Juni, in honour of the East-German uprising of 1953.

Postcard view from c.1920

View of the Straße des 17 Juni from 2020

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July 8, 2020February 16, 2021

The Brandenburg Gate

A postcard from c.1920 shows the Brandenburg Gate on the right and a still intact Bundestag on the left complete with its original dome.

The bronze Quadriga, the four horse-drawn chariot sitting atop the gate has a colourful history itself, the original was stolen by no less a figure than Napoleon and taken to Paris, it was later returned only to be almost completely destroyed during the Battle of Berlin at the end of WWII, of which now only one original horse’s head remains.

The German celebrations of reunification in 1990, marking an end to the Cold War also proved rather unkind to the figure of Victoria and her equestrian companions, as revellers tore off pieces of the magnificent metal statue as souvenirs of the historic event.

This whole structure has become a symbol of freedom and unity the world over, of which the citizens of Berlin, the Berliners, are rightly very proud.

Postcard view of the Brandenburg Gate from c.1920

View of the Brandenburg Gate from 2020

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July 4, 2020February 16, 2021

Berlin Cathedral

The postcard from c.1910 shows on the left part of the old Berlin Palace, the main residence of the royal house of Hohenzollern, which was famously detonated in 1950 with the aid of 19 tonnes of high explosive, having been declared a symbol of Prussian militarism by the East German government.

The image from 2020 shows part of the 600+ million Euro reconstruction.

On the right is the “Hotel König von Portugal”, dating from the end of the 17th century, it unfortunately sustained heavy damage during WWII, the result of allied bombing, as did much of the surrounding area and was unable to be rebuilt.

The area is now part of the Nikolaiviertel, a DDR prefabricated concrete reconstruction of late-medieval Berlin, which on completion became derisively known as “Honeker’s Disneyland”.

The Berlin Cathedral in the background also suffered substantial damage during the war and was later rebuilt, which accounts for the altered appearance between the images.

Postcard view of the Berlin Cathedral from c.1910

View of the Berlin Cathedral from 2020

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July 3, 2020February 16, 2021

Bülowstraße

Named after the Prussian General Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Bülow in remembrance of the Wars of Liberation fought against Napoleon in 1813 this station first opened in 1902 on what was then called the Stramstrecke, Berlin’s first Metro line, now called the U2.

Originally there was huge resistance to the erection of such a modern utility, an elevated urban rail system, as many were afraid that it would ruin the local ambience, although now, over a century later, it’s become an integral part of the neighbourhood’s city scenery.

Although the station was heavily damaged during WWII, it was later rebuilt, which accounts for its slightly altered appearance.

Metro station Bülowstraße ca. 1910

Metro station Bülowstraße 2020

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June 26, 2020February 16, 2021

The Altes Museum

Designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in the neoclassical style and built between 1823 and 1830, this protected building is one of an ensemble of culturally significant historic buildings on the Museum Island in Berlin, which in 1999 were together designated a UNESCO world heritage site.

Originally built to house the Prussian royal family’s art collection, the museum is now home to the antique collections of the Berlin State Museums.

The Altes Museum c.1910

The Altes Museum 2019

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June 25, 2020February 16, 2021

Palace Bridge

An arched bridge designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel was built of sandstone between 1821 and 1824, it marks the eastern end of Under den Linden, Berlin’s famous boulevard.
The Berliner Dom can be seen in the background with differing domed roofs, the result of allied bombing during WWII.

Postcard from c.1910

View from 2019

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June 25, 2020February 16, 2021

Old Fritz

The statue of King Friedrich II of Prussia, who, sitting astride his horse in the middle of Under den Linden, is ruler of all he surveys.
History has been kind to this war-monger, reigning from 1740 until 1786 “the old Fritz”, as he became known, built Prussia into a leading European power, and he is now regarded as one of the most enlightened monarchs of his age, as well as being one of the 18th century’s finest military leaders.

A postcard dating from c.1910

View from 2019

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June 19, 2020February 16, 2021

The Gendarmenmarkt

The Gendarmenmarkt is probably the most beautiful square in Berlin, where the architectural ensemble of the Berlin concert hall,, the French and German churches can be found.

First built in 1688 the buildings suffered substantial damage during WWII, all buildings were subsequently restored.

In the summer orchestras play classic melodies at the Classic Open Air festival and in winter the square is transformed into one of Berlin’s best-loved traditional Christmas markets.

Postcard c.1920, The Gendarmenmarkt

2019, The Gendarmenmarkt

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June 18, 2020September 10, 2020

The Bode Museum

The Bode Museum one of a group of museums on the Museum Island in Berlin was completed in 1904 and originally called the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum, it was later renamed by the DDR minister of culture in honour of its first curator, Wilhelm von Bode.

Built in the Neo-baroque style, the museum suffered little damage during WWII and is now home to collections of cultures, Byzantine art, coins and medals.

Bode Museum c.1920

Bode Museum 2019

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June 16, 2020September 10, 2020

The Anhalter Bridge

c.1900 - Bridge over the Landwehr canal showing the line from the Anhalter main rail station

2019 - Bridge over the Landwehr canal showing where the line from the Anhalter main rail station used to run

These images, taken almost 120 years apart, show not only the great changes this location has undergone, but also how the basic layout is still very recognisable.

The image from c.1900 shows a still functioning rail-line from the Anhalter main rail station just south of Potsdamer Platz, crossing the Landwehr canal on an iron riveted bridge, which is itself crossed by an iron box-bridge serving the U1 and U3 metro lines.

The Anhalter main rail station was once one of Berlin’s most important and busiest rail links, but extensive bomb damage suffered during the Second World War reduced rail services to a minimum, which the subsequent division of Berlin only compounded, as the Station was situated in West-berlin, but served only stations in Soviet occupied East-Germany.

The station was eventually closed and demolished, only a fragment of the station now remaining as a memorial.

The image from 2019 shows how the basic layout still remains, although all traces of the original structures are long gone, a box-bridge still crosses the canal as part of the metro, but below there is now a pedestrian bridge, the area having since been transformed into one of Berlin’s most loved recreational areas.

c.1900 – Bridge over the Landwehr canal showing the line from the Anhalter main rail station

2019 – Bridge over the Landwehr canal showing where the line from the Anhalter main rail station used to run

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