Germany - 6
Girlahead was considerably awed by the location of Berlin’s Hotel de Rome, at the west end of Behrenstrasse (see the hotel’s flags, above), Over a kilometre long, Behrenstrasse’s named for Johann Heinrich Behr, who helped plan Berlin’s Baroque expansion, Friedrichstadt. Travelling east along it today, Behrenstrasse starts with Bebelplatz, and continues along to the Jewish Memorial on the left and, on the right, the rear facets of the British and US embassies, and The Adlon Kempinski. But that’s another story. Finally, one could say, comes the Brandenburg Gate. Yet another story.
Back at the east of this story trail is Bebelplatz, home of the Hotel de Rome, Humboldt Law University, the Opera House – and St Hedwig’s Cathedral. Yes, some know this name from Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling named the owl after a mediaeval saint whose name she found in a book on worthies). Why Berlin’s main Catholic cathedral was called after a 12th century Bavarian duchess who married a Duke of Silesia and was beatified for supporting monasteries, hospitals, prisoners, and the poor.
The original architect, Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, was Frederick the Great’s favourite. Hans Schwippert rebuilt it after WWII and 2024 adjustments were by Sichau & Walter Architects (an Austrian stone artist Leo Zogmayer made the altar). The all-white interior is – beautiful.
Girlahead believes strongly that history and the arts around a luxury hotel vastly enhance the appeal OF that property. Agree?.
