Museum Island in Berlin: Sublime Art & Architecture

 

A unique ensemble of buildings in the heart of Berlin, Museum Island is one of the most outstanding museum complexes in Europe. Six thousand years of culture and history are illustrated on Museum Island, a panorama stretching from the Ancient Egyptians and the civilizations of the ancient Near East to Greek and Roman Antiquity and the Christian and Islamic art of the Middle Ages to European art of the 19th Century. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999, millions of visitors come to see the five museums every year. Not only the collections themselves are worth seeing, the ensemble of historic buildings on Museum Island is among the most beautiful architecture that Berlin has to offer.

The Altes Museum, or Old Museum, offers an insight into the worlds of Etruscan, Greek and Roman art. Built during the empire period, the Bode Museum with its striking cupola houses the Sculpture Collection including works from all over Europe dating from the early Middle Ages to Classicism. Byzantine art of the 3rd to 19th Centuries is also featured, in addition to a selection of some of the most valuable coins and medals from Antiquity to the 20th-Century in the collection displayed in the Münzkabinett. The Old National Gallery, rising above the island like an ancient Greek temple, was opened in 1876 to house the contemporary art of the time and today still has painting and sculpture from the 19th Century, with highlights being rooms with the Impressionists and Caspar David Friedrich. 

In 1997, David Chipperfield won the international competition for the rebuilding of the Neues Museum, which houses the Egyptian museum and papyrus collection with its famous bust of Queen Nefertiti and other works of art from the time of the king Akhenaten

Family group of Ptah-mai, chief of the Web-priests of Ptah,

from the Ramses II dynasty c 1279 BC

Seated statue of Mentuemhat, governor of Thebes c.610 BC

The world famous Bust of Nefertiti is a 3,300-year-old limestone and plaster sculpture of the 

ancient Egyptian queen, was discovered in 1912

Nefertiti is the most popular item in the museum, but can only be photographed

from outside the atrium where she's featured

Papyrus of King Khufu c.1640 BC

View through the sumptuous galleries of the Neues Museum

Long view towards Nefertiti Atrium as seen through room featuring Roman busts

Bronze of 'Xanten Youth' c.1st century BC was discovered in 1858 by fishermen 

not far from Xanten

Intricate floor tile in the museum changes in each room

Greek marriage contract on papyrus c. 310 BC

Time for a cappuccino in the Allegretto Cafè of the Neues Museum

The Neues Museum interior courtyard 

Bust of Roman Lady of the Julian-Claudian era from the 

Heinrich Schliemanns Collection of Trojan antiquities, who was among the great 

archaelogists of the 19th-century

Boat-shaped Saucier from 27 BC, looks rather modern 

Head of statue of King Amenhotep III c. 1360 BC

Head of statuette of Queen Tiy with double feather crown c. 1355 BC

Portrait heads of the royal couple Nefertiti and Ashenaten c. 1350 BC

Figure of a girl holding a small cat c. 1380 BC

Head of statue of King Amasis c. 550 BC

Painting from a tomb of the representation of the deified 

Pharaoh Amenhotep I c. 1186 BC

Praying statue of King Amenemhet III c. 1840 BC from Memphis

The massive, multi-phase overhaul of the Pergamon Museum on Museum Island,

due to open in 2027, featured the Pergamon Altar with the Giant Frieze, the Market Gate from late Roman Miletus and the Processional Way and Ishtar Gate of Babylon

The Bode Museum on Museum Island

 Baroque Equestrian Statue of Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg 

sits in the atrium of the Bode

The Barberini Faun by Vincenzo Pacetti  c.1813,

is a famous Hellenistic marble statue of a sleeping, drunken satyr

San Jeronimo by Diego de Siloé 1490 AD

The spectacular late Baroque and early Rococo Mirror Cabinet from Merseburg Castle,

from 1712-1715

www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/museumsinsel-berlin/home

Nussbaumerin: Traditional Austrian Cuisine

 

Nussbaumerin is one of the best Austrian restaurants in Berlin, where in her cozy restaurant, Johanna Nußbaumer recreates a little bit of Austria in the heart of the city. Ensconced on a side street off Kurfürstendamm since 2008, it has become an institution and an essential fixture. "Authentic... Traditional... Austrian" is the motto here. Authentic Austrian cuisine prepared by owner Johanna Nußbaumer. The menu of the rustic restaurant includes classics such as Wiener Schnitzel with Vogerlsalat or Tafelspitz aspic on a shallot vinaigrette, Viennese beef goulash with bread dumplings, or apricot dumplings with sweet buttered breadcrumbs are some shining examples. The excellent selection of wines also originates in the chef's homeland. Awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand annually since 2013, Nussbaumerin is an absolute gem, and so is she.

Nussbaumerin owner and chef Joanna Nußbaumer

The charming interior of this Austrian culinary gem

Warm homemade rye bread with Joanna's luscious paté

Glass of Schlumberger Sparkling Brut, Austria's oldest and most traditional sparkling wine producer,

using the traditional Champagne method from Austrian grapes

Joanna's Styrian Pumpkin Soup is a traditional Austrian dish characterized by its creamy texture and finished with dark green, nutty Styrian pumpkin seed oil for finishing

Frittatensuppe, a traditional beef broth with sliced pancakes

Bottle of delicious Gruner Veltliner from Austria's Wachau Valley

One of my favourite wines

Serving Tafelspitz, traditional Austrian prime boiled rump of beef

Served with with root-vegetables, grated horse radish, horse radish sauce and roast potatoes 

A traditional Austrian meal

Traditional Vienna Schnitzel with warm potato-cucumber salad

served with homemade Lingonberry compote

Palatschinken, thin, delicate, crêpes served with warm apricots and topped with iced cream

nussbaumerin.de

Nußbaumerin Salzburg Bierfleisch

Serves 4

Recipe courtesy of Joanna Nußbaumer

600 g veal

75 g bacon

100 g soup vegetables

150 g onions

1 small garlic clove

1 slice course rye bread

15 g lard

500 ml malty, dark ale

625 ml stock 

4 tbsp potato starch

1 tsp black peppercorns

1/2 tsp caraway seeds

1/2 tsp elderberries

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp marjoram

25 g fresh coriander

2 small bay leaves

1 carrot for garnish

Sauté onions, garlic, soup vegetables, and bacon in a pan at high heat, and then deglaze with dark ale and vegetable and meat stock. Crush elderberries, caraway seeds, and pepper, and add to pan together with salt, marjoram, bay leaves, chopped coriander, and cubed bread. Allow to marinate overnight.

The next day, chop veal into 2-cm cubes and sauté in oil. Strain vegetable-spice stock through a sieve, and cook meat in broth until tender. When meat is cooked through, remove from broth. To thicken, gradually add potato starch and remaining 200 ml beer to broth until desired consistency has been achieved. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Wash carrots, then slice and blanch. Serve Bierfleich with blanched carrots and a side dish, such as dumplings.

Restaurant Belluci: A Taste of Italy in Berlin

Belucci oozes luxury from start to finish, from its understated decor to its indulgent menu of Italian classics. It's truly a culinary paradise in the heart of Berlin's upscale Kurfürstendamm shopping strasse, and has been a fixture of Berlin's upscale culinary scene since 2010. Under the creative direction of Chef Franco Colluci, a unique synthesis of Italian flair and first-class traditional and modern cuisine is created here every day. The menu reflects the diversity of the Italian culinary world, from delicate antipasti and handmade pasta to fabulous fish, all prepared with the freshest ingredients. Arriving for dinner for our first evening in Berlin, Bellucci was simply outstanding, notwithstanding the massive table of local mafiosa quaffing vodka, and gifting gold watches like candy. 

Bread, olives and small jug of olive oil

Glass of champagne to enjoy as we perused the menu

Belluci's cozy interior with framed black and white prints of old film stars on the walls

Glass of Primitivo di Manduira to enjoy with the Carpaccio

Wagyu carpaccio with Japanese enoki mushrooms and fresh shaved truffle

A delicious bottle of La Scolca Gavi dei Gavi, ideal with the prawns

A rare gem among Italian white wines, Gavi dei Gavi in known for its elegance and finesse

Tagliolini al Tartufo Nero

Tagliatelle with monkfish fillet, green asparagus, and saffron cream

Scampi alla Griglia, six enormous succulent prawns were absolutely delicious,

and among the best I've ever enjoyed

bellucci.de

Linguine all'aragosta con fondo al vino bianco e pomodorini pachino

Serves 2

1 1/2 lb fresh lobster, cooked & meat removed and chopped; claw reserved 

1/2 lb linguine

Olive oil, garlic, chili flakes/peppers

Pachino (cherry) tomatoes, halved

Dry white wine

Lobster stock 

Fresh chives, chopped for garnish 

Salt, pepper to taste 

 

Boil the linguine in salted water until al dente, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy water before draining. In a large skillet, heat olive oil, add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the halved tomatoes and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the chopped lobster meat and warm through for 2 minutes. Pour in white wine, allowing it ro reduce by about half. Add a splash of reserved pasta water, letting the sauce thicken slightly. Add the drained linguine to the skillet with the sauce and lobster. Toss well, adding more pasta water if needed for a silky coating. Stir in fresh chives and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately with a lobster claw.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin: A Legendary Address

 

In the heart of Berlin, facing the Brandenburg Gate and only a few steps from the government district, is the legendary five-star luxury Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. Founded by Lorenz Adlon in 1907, the legendary Hotel Adlon has always inspired and fascinated guests from near and far. Throughout the world, the name Adlon has become synonymous with graceful elegance and regal hospitality. Ideally located in the heart of the vibrant Berlin, this iconic property with stunning rooms and suites exudes the ultimate in opulence, style and sophistication. The Adlon’s true hallmark, however, is its unique and unsurpassable aura of tradition and modernity. The hotel provides travellers unmatched levels of comfort and service, some with views of Brandenburg Gate, including our gorgeous suite. 

The Berlin Adlon Kempinski Lobby Bar with Elephant fountain

View of the Brandenburg Gates from the Adlon Kempinski suite

Cocktail at the The Adlon Kempinski Lobby Bar

www.kempinski.com/en/hotel-adlon

Dreseden Semperoper: Romeo + Juliet

 

One of the greatest love stories in the canon of Western literature, must be the passion and dreadful fate of young Romeo and his Juliet, who cannot be together because of deep-seated hatred and ancient quarrels, only to be united in death. In opera, you know it never ends well. However, one of the benefits of travelling through Germany and Austria during the chilly holiday season, is the wealth of operas and concerts at our fingertips, which is we chose this season to explore the cultural landscape, such as this evening's opera performance of Romeo + Juliet in five acts with libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré and based on the play by William Shakespeare.

The sumptuous interior of Dresden's Semperoper, where we arrived for 

Romeo and Juliet

The beautiful ceiling of the Semperoper

Contemporary costumes leant an current day feel to the production

Juliet so happy to have met Romeo unaware that he's watching and listening
to her from behind the column of the town square

The fight breaks out on the main square, 2 deaths ensue and everything goes

'pear-shaped' from that point on

The beautiful Christmas Tree in the lobby of the Dresden Semproper, 

just one of the many glorious benefits of travelling during the holiday season

www.semperoper.de/en