Without a doubt my favorite bridge in Berlin: Oberbaumbrücke. Built in 1895-1897, the bridge crosses the Spree River and connects the lively neighborhoods Kreuzberg (former West Berlin) and Friedrichshain (former East Berlin). Being able to freely cross the bridge again is as symbolic as it is convenient and actually quite fun due to people watching, views in all directions and the beautiful structure itself.
Oberbaumbrücke (Oberbaum Bridge) – In A Berlin Minute (Week 143) from Luci Westphal on Vimeo.
I fondly remember the first time I crossed the bridge. It was my first night of moving to Berlin (the 2 months trial period) almost exactly 3 years ago (it was freezing then, too) when Franky Fuzz and I were leaving Hana’s birthday party to catch trains home when he found out I had never walked across the bridge (or heard of it for that matter). So that’s what we did; he with two bags of vinyl records, a guitar and an amp – me with big eyes taking this amazing city in. Later there was some Berliner Kindl drinking and another walk through the slightly scarier and iced over Goerlitzer Park – but somehow I made it back to my sublet and fell into bed thinking: yup, I could live in this city!
The yellow subway going across the bridge is the famous U1 about which you can watch an In A Berlin Minute video HERE.
(And yes, Frank, I know I still owe you and Claudia the video from your wedding – you’ll get it before your anniversary!)
The song is “Super Omega” by Jason Matherne (on Soundcloud).
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| Oberbaumbruecke crossing the Spree – seen from Friedrichshain Oberbaumbruecke ueber der Spree – gesehen von Friedrichshain |