When I turned 23, I felt the urge to know every detail about the history of Berlin. The next two years, I’ve visited and researched many places of historic importance throughout the German capital. This blog was the result of full-time reading, thinking and writing.
Now that I’m 10 years older and more experienced as a historian – I’m looking back to the work I’ve done. Sometimes I do this with a certain cringe. My critical thinking and writing skills were not fully developed (not to mention the overcomplicated style of how I used english). Other times, I feel pretty proud of the work the 10-year younger me has done. And I’m not saying that lightly. (-:
As an ode to the old blog, I’m visiting the places I wrote about 10 years ago.
#6: Georg Elser

My article about Georg Elser and his attempt to kill Hitler in 1939 is not an article to be ashamed of. Perhaps, it’s not the strongest either. After all (as admitted) the figure of Georg Elser doesn’t have a connection with the city of Berlin. Georg Elser’s attempt to kill Hitler was always well-known. In the last 10 years, even more. A German production used the story for a film. In the German Resistance Memorial Center (Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand) an entire room is now dedicated to Georg Elser’s attempt (photo #1 & #2).
#7: The Porajmos in Berlin
At the time (2012) this article was highly relevant. Just a few weeks before, the Sinti and Roma Memorial was finally opened. Located next to the Reichstag, it changed Berlin’s landscape. The memorial site has a official vibe to it, which is suitable for commemoration. Currently, the site next to it is being turned into being a part of the memorial. It seems to be the idea, that personal stories will give the memorial a more informative character. Which I underwrite. Until it opens (lets see when that will be) I think that the exhibition that’s right next to the station Raoul-Wallenberg-Straße really adds to the commemoration of the Porajmos. Although one thinks that the district (Marzahn) is far out, I highly recommend to pay a visit if you’re interested in the topic of the Porajmos.
#8: Glienicker Brücke: the Bridge of Spies
In retrospect, I think this article made me realise the power of the camera. When I wrote the article in 2012, I only had a 10-year old digital camera with max. 2 megapixels. (I didn’t use a smartphone till the age of 29. Guess I’m a little low-fi!). Still, I think the photos I made in 2012 were pretty good. As a location, I think the bridge is an interesting addition to the blog. I’ve been there frequently.
I feel though, that the content of the article was not all that great. Before editing (2022), there was much detailed information about the bridges in the period 1660-1960 whereas you (dear readers) surely wanted to read more about the three notorious spy exchanges. I’ve posted some extra photos and videos about these moments!
#9: Ernst Thälmann

Such a long article, where the basic question should have been: does Ernst Thälmann deserve a statue in present-day Berlin? And I’m not asking to erase all socialist memorials from the East German period. But, Ernst Thälmann is one of a kind…
In an interesting way, Ernst Thälmann did not fit into the strategy of the East German communists after the war. Then, the East German communists claimed to have learned from their mistakes they made before 1933. In the analysis, Hitler and the nazi’s could overtake the power because the left (communists and social-democrats) were too busy fighting each other. Those twists should be from the past, was the conclusion. The new strategy can even be seen this in the name of the socialist party after the War: Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (Socialist United Party of Germany). Officially, the left was now altogether in one party. In reality, the Moscow-aligned commies were in charge. However, if one person was responsible for the inter-left violence in the 1920s and 1930s that was now condemned? His name must have been Ernst Thälmann…
Still, I don’t opt for the removal of Ernst Thälmann’s statue. It is a worthy example of East German propaganda and its absurdities. Importantly, it needs to be contextualised with an information table. The graffiti saying “Hero” clearly doesn’t do the job. In this, I (proudly) differ in opinion from the local CDU (conservative party). One of their local representatives (backed up by the party) suggests to break down the monument and sell the materials to support Ukranian victims of the Russian invasion. At first sight that seems a noble cause to me, but I’m not convinced of any relation between Ernst Thälmann and Putin’s imperialism.