Today we caught the train to the city and visited az number of historic sites - Checkpoint Charlie, one of the checkpoints between East and West Berlin, The topographie of Terror, a display of the history of Nazi leadership in Germany leading to WWII and later the war crimes trials. What we noticed here was the photos of Nazi guards and women having the time of their lives during the war then the serious looks on their faces as they sat in the dock at their trials. Another interesting fact was that Hitler rose to power by claiming he was simply providing for a community of the German people. But beneath that veneer were practices like decreeing that the disabled and unemployed were a hindrance to the community and should be disposed of! I hear some echoes of those thoughts in our current government's approach to the unemployed.
We also visited the Berliner Dom, the real Berlin Cathedral. This is a Lutheran church but one wonders what Luther would think of it with the Altar having a crucifix on it and the priest required to stand with his back to the people. Mind you there are also a number of large plaques with Scripture verses reminding the congregation that salvation is by faith alone and we stand only on the word of God.
We climbed the 300 or so steps to the top of the dome where we had a great view of the city - then the same number of steps to get back to the ground level (visa the crypt) - just what my knees needed.

Checkpoint Charlie

Berlin Wall - Topographie of Terror Centre

Berliner Dom (Cathedral)

Cathedral Organ

Cathedral Sanctuary