European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 7, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Above the Western Side of the Wall with the ancient Brandenburg Gate rising in the background. At left the Oyster Shell Congress Hall and the exterior of a Stauffenberg Strasse memorial and museum. 260 demonstrators died in East Berlin on that Day june 17. There is Little to see but much to reflect upon. A three minute walk up the Bellevue Strasse leads Back to the main traffic artery that cuts past the Brandenburg Gate to the Reich Stag. Diagonally across the intersection the peaked roof of the philharmonic concert Hall and a Host of museums Are visible. The philharmonic and Congress Hall were conceived in tandem during the 50s As a Start towards restoring Berlin s world class image. Both structures emphasize the future in their design. The museums dedicated to musical instruments handicrafts and Art Are free. With the exception of the National Art gallery All Are open during every Day. The gallery is closed mondays. There is a Small charge sometimes mandatory for checking bags. Seven minutes away West along the and left onto the Stauffenberg Strasse is the site of the former German army High command. The Gray Block of buildings to the right at the end of the Block were the offices of count Claus von Stauffenberg and other army conspirators who tried on july 20,1944, to kill Hitler. Stauffenberg and four others were shot in the courtyard after the bomb attempt failed. Part of the site is a memorial and museum with the rooms in which the conspirators worked on display and a plaque marking where Stauffenberg was executed. The museum is free open weekdays from 9 . To 6 . And on weekends from 9 . To 1 . A free Book on the plot in general is available in English. Ask for Das Lotze see the surrounding area contained embassies to the third Reich. One of them the former japanese embassy was restored recently and unveiled to the Public As a German japanese cultural Center. It originally was completed in 1942, and the restoration is Worth a trip to a Vendor Sells souvenirs at potsdamer Platz. See. Japanese gardens and outside stairwells in the Back of the building resemble a Buck Rogers science fiction set. From potsdamer plat a six minute walk reaches the Gropius Bau the Only remaining 19th-Century museum building in West Berlin and a product of the Well known architect Martin Gropius who worked with \ Leino Schmieden on the project. A variety of exhibits Are held there. Admission is -1 Marks about $2.25 for adults and a family card is available for 8 Marks. It is open tuesday through sunday from 10a.m. To 10 . A permanent exhibition on the history of the jewish Community in Berlin is located there. Next door an exhibit called the Topography of terror chronologies the history of nazi persecution on the site of the former Gestapo Headquarters. An inexpensive guide to the exhibit is available. The Walls of former Gestapo prison cells Are the Walls of the Semi underground exhibit. Seven minutes along the Wall and checkpoint Charlie looms. There is a museum there Hans am checkpoint Charlie dedicated to the history of the Wall and the nonviolent movement worldwide. Admission is 3.50 Marks about $2 for adults 2.50 Marks Tor students it is open daily from 9 . To 10 . Across the Street is the Koc Strasse a Bahn station. Bicycles May be taken on the subway system in Kellii i. For those who hold military identification cards the subway is free. Bicycle rental outfits Are found under the word in the German yellow pages. They include j. Mahrdt Kan Strasse Tutt Tel. 32381 29 Dain Rau Bender which rents tandem bikes a Bohnhof Grunwald Tel. H11 5829 Fahr Rad Krause Marie Dorler darn 34, Tel. 7063312 kit read like Kiihl Mante Uttel Strasse 16a, Tel. 7513104 and motor and Rad sport Lichten Rade Gross Ziethen Strasse 2, Tel. 74581 98. July 7, 1988 stripes Magazine
