The hotel in Berlin is on the Stresemann Strasse and about two blocks from the controversial Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, sometimes referred to as the Holocaust Memorial. The memorial is on a 19,000 square meter (4.7 acre) site that is covered with 2,711 concrete slabs. There is one slab or "stelae" for each page of the Talmud. They are arranged in a grid pattern across a sloping field.
The idea is to feel vertigo or discomfort when viewing the stelae. It's a very uneasy feeling.
It's a very haunting memorial, but one of many in Berlin. Throughout the city are reminders of the war and the Nazi period. At times just walking down the street it can be quite eerie or surrealistic.
This is so cool, Rod. I've never been to Germany, but you've definitely lighted an even greater spark of interest. BTW, here in Cincinnati we just installed a portion of the Berlin Wall as a permanent display at The Freedom Center.
Posted by: Doug Cooper Spencer | 27 July 2010 at 14:41
Rod, that is very moving. The Holocaust should be an everlasting reminder to all humanity of the atrocities unchecked, blind hatred leads to. Are there any memorials in Berlin to the gays that were also systematically slaughtered under the Nazis?
Posted by: Nathan James | 27 July 2010 at 16:28
The Nazi Holocaust should be a reminder of unchecked atrocity but it has become a billion dollar industry ran by corrupt individuals who have refused to give the heirs of survivors money they secured for the survivors..who have pre-dominantly passed away. This disturbs me tremendously, especially since I am considered anti-semetic and a Holocaust denier for stating this. I truly believe using the Holocaust to "shakedown" banks for money is disgraceful tribute to those who suffered but the German memorial is commendable.
Posted by: rc | 27 July 2010 at 17:10
Nathan, there is a memorial to the gays murdered by the Nazis. But I missed it. I will check for it when I return. -RM
Posted by: Rod Mc | 27 July 2010 at 19:35
Wow this is interesting,.I'll be in Cologne Germany Thursday for the Gay Games,..maybe I'll hop a train over to Berlin the week after and check some of this out. Thanks.
Posted by: Procrastination_Xtravaganza | 28 July 2010 at 02:24