Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
orated with eight marble sculptures depicting the life and death of a warrior. Alas, empty
royal coffers kept them from being chiselled until the late 1840s, a few years after the mas-
ter's death.
HOW THE FÜHRER LOST HIS HEAD
The most controversial figure at Berlin's branch of Madame Tussauds is the waxen
likeness of Adolf Hitler, depicted as a beaten man hunkered in the bunker during his fi-
nal days, as Soviet troops were closing in on Berlin. On opening day in 2008 a local
visitor attacked the figure and ripped off its head, not in protest it turned out, but to
fulfil a beer bet. It was quickly reattached.
Gendarmenmarkt
MUSEUM
MENDELSSOHN EXHIBIT
come; noon-6pm; Hausvogteiplatz, Französische Strasse)
The Mendelssohns are one of the great German family dynasties, starting with the
pater fa-
milias,
Jewish Enlightenment philosopher Moses Mendelssohn (1729-86). The bank foun-
ded by his son Joseph in 1795 grew into Berlin's largest private banking house and moved
into the city's 'Wall Street' on Jägerstrasse in 1890. An exhibit in its former counter hall
traces the fate and history of this influential family, who was forced into bankrupcty by the
Nazis, prompting many members to flee Germany.
