Surrounded by lush forestry and sitting atop a precipice overlooking the town of Eisenach in the Thuringia state in Germany, this well-preserved medieval castle with Romanesque architecture throws us way back to the Middle Ages.

The Wartburg Castle is the first German castle to be designated as a UNESCO Heritage site and the hilltop castle is a prime example of a fortress during the feudal period in Central Europe. With improvements and additions throughout the years, it serves as a window into over a thousand years of German history.

The Wartburg castle was said to be first constructed in 1067 and calls the Neuenburg in the Freyburg town as sister castle. What remains of the castle now are remnants from the 12^th to the 15^th century, and the19^{th C}entury, where it underwent reconstruction. During this period, the medieval architecture was restored and complemented with new additions.

Did you know: The great German professor of theology, composer, priest, and monk, Martin Luthor was exiled at the Wartburg Castle that he translated the New Testament into German.

Today, the fortress is a showcase of strength during its peak as a military stronghold. Visitors can also go on a guided tour of the castle’s vast number of rooms to take a peek into life back then, and the must-visit room in the castle is the 12^th century Palais (the great hall) that still bears traces of its former glory in Romanesque architecture.  The ceremonial hall in the main castle building now serves as the backdrop for the famous Wartburg concerts during summer, as well as other events organized here.

Art lovers can also take a detour to the castle museum, where fine arts are celebrated. There are famous paintings, glorious sculptures, exquisite tapestries and furniture of splendid workmanship. Its art collection was set up 200 years ago, at German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s recommendation, and spans eight centuries.

Did you know: During the festive December period, the castle comes alive with its historical Christmas market, reminiscent of its medieval days.

There’s no charge if you just wish to visit the castle grounds, but entry to the rooms within the castle comes with an admission charge, which varies depending on the season. Give yourself around two hours to explore the castle.

How to get there: You can get to the town of Eisenach, where the Wartburg Castle is located, in just three hours by train from Berlin, and less than two hours from Frankfurt and Leipzig.

Image credits: Wikipedia, Wartburg Castle, UNESCO

It’s a contrasting sight- an ancient neo-Romanesque church in a tattered state, standing proud alongside  a modern octagonal church structure of square- shaped concrete tiles with glass elements.

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is today, one of the most famous landmarks in western Berlin, not just of its unusual appearance of blending old and contemporary, but because of its embattled history.

The original church was erected in the 1890s, but suffered badly during a bombing raid in 1943. Only the partially damaged west tower was left standing. For years, the church dubbed “Hollow Tooth” was left in a state of disrepair, as a stern reminder of the devastating effects of the war.

Eventually, parts of it was restored and now, the ground level is made into a memorial hall, while the church’s exterior retain its frayed appearance. The hall houses a handful of the church’s original objects and photos of the church before and after its attack. Do look up at the ceiling’s gorgeous mosaic design, which survived the war and only needed slight restoration.

Did you know: If you observe the walls of the church close enough, you might see bullet walls on its façade.

The newer counterpart of the church was built in 1959 and took two years. Designed by Egon Eiermann, it spots a most unusual design. Octagonal in shape, the exterior of the church was in a tiled design wrapped by concrete framing with colored glass blocks. When you’re inside, the colors bouncing off the glass creates a bluish tint of meditative calm. This newer church was initially intended to replace the original church, but was then obliged to stand alongside it due to berliners’ mass appeal to have the old church stay as a war reminder.

If you’re in Berlin for a visit, don’t leave the city without visiting these two churches. Find out what else to do in Berlin.

Any visit to Berlin would not be completed without a pilgrimage to the Berlin Wall. For 29 years, this cold, hard meandering 155km-long barrier cuts East Germany completely from the West, breaking apart families and lives.

After Germany’s liberation in 1989, efforts have been made to preserve the wall, in memory of the lives lost along this “Wall of Shame”.

The East Side Gallery, a 1.3km stretch of the wall located near the centre of Berlin, at Mühlenstraß, now stands as an international memorial of freedom. With 105 paintings by artists from all over the world, the Gallery may possibly be the largest and longest open air gallery ever. Each of these artistic creations tells a story. Some play tribute to those who were lost in the tumultuous period, while some expressed the emotions felt when freedom was in sight.

The image above is a mark of respect to each of the freedom fighter lost each year the wall was up- a total of 136 lives. For where to visit when you’re in the city, don”t forget to check out my Top Seven Places to visit in Berlin.

Where: East Side Gallery, Mühlenstrasse, Berlin, Germany