Wannsee

Wannsee

Peacock Island 

We started out to see Peacock Island which is an island accessible only by Ferry. We took the S7 to Wansee and then walked the 7k to the ferry. You can take the 218 bus. This is a favorite getaway where colorful birds run free around the palace. No bicycles allowed. On this island Kaiser Wilhelm II build a palace. It is a fantasy island with a dark history because it is here in 1942 at the Wansee conference the Nazi officials came up with the final Solution to the Jewish question. It was a lovely walk first along the lake front then through the forest. Very peaceful and quiet. We were about 3/4 of the way when we met two German women returning and they told us the island was closed. We later learned that it was closed for reconstruction projects. We returned to Wansee then on to Berlin.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was one more memorial we wanted to see. the German Resistance memorial Center. It is built on the site of the attempted coup of July 20, 1944 at the former army high command. It is a powerful place documenting in words, pictures and films the individuals and groups that took action in whatever way they could against the National Socialist dictatorship from 1933 to 1944. They had interviews with individuals that had tried to leave Germany as children or young adults and how most of the countries of the world including the USA did not want more immigrants especially if they were destitute. This is certainly reminiscent of our world today. Heartbreaking to learn that we have learned so little and still lack empathy.

German Resistance Memorial Center

 

Finally a drink 

And a meal.....