Bearlin: An Ursine Tour of the Hauptstadt
What is with the bear overkill in Berlin? You run across some form of bear iconography on just about every block in Mitte, and the sheer number of them seems to suggest some deep and profound significance. But nobody actually knows for certain what elevated the bear to its lofty position here. Theories tout potential historic and phonetic explanations for the density of the city's bear symbols, which date back hundreds of years. (I actually sit in the Albrecht der Bär camp.) But before that, it was just a seal. Only in the past decade has the bear fascination begun to get a bit out of hand and become an emblem of the city's renaissance and a tool of marketers. The return of the brass bear to the Altes Stadthaus that symbolized the "reappropriation of the city's cultural heritage" only just took place at the turn of the last century. Now tourist shops are full of all things bear that visitors can cart home like battle regalia.
At the Berlinale Film Festival, they give out a Golden Bear to the best film. A slew of clubs and organizations, from swing dancers to football players, call themselves the Berlin Bears. More than 250 fresh, modern Buddy Bears dot the city. Then, just when you think you can't bear it (sorry) any longer, Knut's celebrity this past year brought an array of polar bear-branded miscellany. For those who've managed to walk the streets without feeling that they've had the motif shoved down their throats, here's a collection of Berlin bears.
Zoo Berlin
Hardenbergplatz 8
10787 Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany
Finally, the current reigning prince of Berlin Bears: Knut. The small creamy heap of fur circled in red is all I saw of Knut back when he was a pup. (Obstinate little … beast decided to remain immobile behind a rock, much to the dismay of hordes of little kiddies.) [link]
T.O.T.S
Unter den Linden 69
10117 Mitte, Berlin, Germany
Along with Berlin Story, this is your one-stop shop for all sorts of Berlin-branded bear paraphernalia, if that's your thing. There's another location up the street on … Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse. [link]
Nikolaikirche Bear
Nikolaikirchplatz
10178 Mitte, Berlin, Germany
[link]
Machmit Museum
Senefelderstraße
10437 Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
Though finding a Buddy Bear isn't a novelty, the upside down ones are in the minority. Here's an example of one condemned to balance in a handstand for the rest of his … days. [link]
Helmholtzplatz Fountain
Helmholtzplatz, Lettestrasse side of the platz, 10437 Berlin
[link]
Daimler Chrysler Panoramapunkt
Potsdamer Platz
10117 Mitte, Berlin, Germany
For just €3.50, you can ride Europe's fastest elevator up to visit this Buddy Bear on top of the Daimler Chrysler building ... oh, and check out the view, too. I … especially like the deadpan way that the elevator operator rattles off the speed, altitude achieved, etc. (basically 100 meters in 20 seconds). [link]
Bärenzwinger
Am Köllnischen Park
10179 Mitte, Berlin, Germany
Here's a novelty in the city's sea of colorful inanimate bears: a couple of live ones. Schnute, Berlin's official bear (yes, something like the "Miss America" of Berlin … bears), and her girlfriend Maxi live in Köllnischen Park behind the Märkisches Museum. [link]
Bärenhöhle
Schönhauser Allee 90
10439 Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
[link]
Alexanderplatz S-Bahn Station
Alexanderplatz S-Bahn Station, 10178 Berlin
I'll start off with one of the seemingly endless Buddy Bears that populate the city. This one at Alex is graffitied to have the proper Alex grit and defiance for the poor … artist who labored over it. You'll see them standing or lumbering on all fours at loads of touristy locations. [link]
