Images

Made Visible:

Berlin's identity is at the focus of the Nikolai quarter. Today, the quarter also is a document of its own reconstruction and the history of the GDR. The same applies for the images and decorations on the facades and buildings, in alleys and places: They are not simply a remembrance of long-gone centuries. Often, they also include pieces from newer town history.

This last category includes, e.g. Gerhard Thieme's peace dove and the title of "Stadt des Friedens" (town of peace) given to the eastern part of Berlin by the (socialist) World Council, as well as a long and detailed frieze running from the Rathausstraße to the Poststraße and continuing on both sides of the historic Lesser & Hardt house (1907). In terms of style and time, Thieme uses the terracotta relief on the history of Berlin and Brandenburg presenting the time between the 12th century and 1871 at the Rotes Rathaus as an inspiration. The frieze continues this picture story to the latest past from a socialist point of view. It is a row of images, perfect for explorers.

The large "Stadtsiegel" and "Wappenbrunnen" at the Nikolaikirche are both centrally situated and of superior importance; both refer to the founding of Berlin. They, as well as the bronze works "Berliner Originale" (Am Nussbaum) and the "Leierkastenmann" (in Poststraße) were created by Gerhard Thieme.

Many vivid details also make the fabled St. Georg monument at the banks of the Spree river so very impressive. The dramatic fight with horse and dragon is the most-photographed statue of the quarter. A historical road table is dedicated to the valuable Kiss statue and its interesting history.

However, all of the above are only examples for a vast number of other sculptures, monuments, building emblems and figures and bronze commemorative plaques to be found in this quarter. Nowhere else is Berlin's history presented as comprehensively and nowhere does it reach back so far as in the place where it all began – our Nikolai quarter.

If this is not enough for you or if the weather is unfavourable, you may, of course, also have an inside view at the centre of Berlin and look at some more images by visiting the quarter´s museums.