The bear enclosure in the City Centre of Berlin.

The building in Köllnischer Park, originally built as a city cleaning center, was converted during nazi times into a bear enclosure to house Berlin's heraldic animals.

The kennel was not officially opened until 1939. A red-brick central wing contained three cages and various functional rooms, as well as two exercise areas with water ditches. Four bears died during the war, one survived and was transferred to the zoo. It was not until 1949 that the partially destroyed kennel was reconstructed and re-staffed with two bears. The last occupant, Schnute the bear, who suffered from osteoarthritis, died October 11, 2015 at the age of 34. The kennel has been unoccupied ever since.

A bit of insider information. You don't have to go to Bavaria to find baroque chic. It can be found in a monastery relatively close to Berlin.

Sensory Deprivation

Years ago a friend of mine told a story that after heavy rains the cemetery was washed away and coffins were floating on the river. This story came into my mind when I was researching historical crypts of Berlin. I found out that a crypt in Britz was fllooded and the old coffins were floating there in black waters for a long time. It reminded me the floating therapy, where people are looking for nirvana in a floation pod with salt water.

Original german Kneipe, which opened 1877! A very special place for Berlin, because it preserves the spirit of Berlin from the past. The interior of the location didn’t change since 1920s and because its a family business this place is very well kept. They are producing their own liquors since the opening of the store.

E. & M. Leydicke
030 2162973

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Devastation of Germany after WW2. I am mentioning this movie often, when I talk about casualties of war. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039417/