Europe2016

The main grounds. Of the roughly 13,200 soldiers (including 120 women) buried here, less than a quarter of those were identifiable.

Along the outside perimeter are these markers, each inscribed the names, rank, and birth dates of soldiers that could be identified.

a single rose..

Mother Russia, mourning her lost son. I didn't find a translation of the inscription and some of the letters are not visible, though roughly combining translations of the Russian and German results in something like this: The blood and death of Soviet heroes; the sorrows of mothers, widows, and orphans; for lasting peace between peoples.

The obelisk, with the 'hall of honor' at the base. Buried beneath the 'hall of honor' are two Soviet colonels.

Surrounding the base of the obelisk, the graves of officers, here a lieutenant.

A sign outside the memorial with photos of the construction of the cemetery -- and a very American sticker.

The Märchenbrunnen (fairy tale fountain) in Volkspark Friedrichshain. The Märchenbrunnen was commissioned by the city of Berlin and opened in the park in 1913. The fountain (closed for the winter) includes statues (covered in wood) that represent the characters in fairy tales, as well as additional statues of fairy tale characters (see nearby). Wikipedia regarding the fountain: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A4rchenbrunnen

One of the statues at the Märchenbrunnen (fairy tale fountain) in Volkspark Friedrichshain. I'm lacking in knowledge of fairy tales, so can't say which statues are of what. For someone for the relatively prudish culture of the U.S., it's always a little shocking to see depictions of naked young boys.

Per the Wikipedia description of the Märchenbrunnen (see below), this is Rübezahl, a mountain spirit in various German, Czech and Polish tales. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A4rchenbrunnen The depictions of lots of angry boys held by the giant is curious.

One of the statues at the Märchenbrunnen (fairy tale fountain) in Volkspark Friedrichshain. I'm lacking in knowledge of fairy tales, so can't say which statues are of what.

One of the statues at the Märchenbrunnen (fairy tale fountain) in Volkspark Friedrichshain. I'm lacking in knowledge of fairy tales, so can't say which statues are of what.

Winter closure of a second fountain at Märchenbrunnen.

Berlin-Schönholz S-bahn station. I'm curious about the age of this station, as well as about the abandoned rail line and buildings on the right side of the picture. Unfortunately, couldn't find any information.

More abandoned warehouse, rail lines, and another building at the Berlin-Schönholz s-bahn depot.

Renezvous (the couple), or more accurately, Nazi-era Flak towers built in the early years of WWII. See: www.flickr.com/photos/donbrr/19661289621

Berlin-Gesundbrunnen station for u-bahn, s-bahn, and intercity rail -- and a very pleasant coffee shop!