Nikolaiviertel - Fake but Charming by Ekaterinburg
Nikolaiviertel, as mentioned above, is the quarter between the Spree river and the area south of Alexander Platz. Around here was where the city began and as nothing of the original remained, in 1985 the GDR attempted to re-create it. So it's a fake but like many fakes, quite charming and as the song says 'almost better than the real thing.' It is really laid back and if, like me, you're a bit of a sucker for an 'old town' you will definitely want to come and have a wander round. Around the church described in the previous tip, there are narrow cobbled streets, mellow traditional-style German buildings, shops and restaurants. Directly in front of the church is a little Platz with a fountain, the Bear Fountain, over which a bear sits on a pedestal , hugging a coat of arms. On the other side of the Platz is the pink and pretty Knoblauch House - not such a pretty name though! This neo-classical townhouse is the genuine article and one of the few buildings here to survive the war. Originally the home of the Knoblauch family ( of which the achitect Eduard was one ) it is now a museum. A little way down the street is one of the nicest shops in Berlin, a Teddy-Bear shop with the most stunning pavement displays I'd seen outside a shop in ages. Have a look at the photos to see some of the things I've mentioned and if you're in Berlin, why not have a look at the real ( fake ) thing.
