Walking Angel with Rose (and live carnation)

* This is part of a series on the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – and my attempt to document the events of the weekend, where 20 years before, a peaceful revolution brought about a big change which helped to end the cold war, and bring about a new Europe. Many more of the events are in the full flickr set here. *

After visiting the commemoration service at the church of the reunification , wandering down Bernauer Strasse and back again, and photographing the roses at the wall (see previous posts) I had a little bit of time. Upon peeking over the fence behind me, I decided to take a few minutes (ok an hour and a half) and wander through theSt. Elisabeth’s cemetery and then into St. Sophia’s Cemetery – across the street. (Links to Flickr Sets behind each of the names.)

Walking Angel with Feather (different than above)

Started in 1860’s (first burial in 1865) as an extension to the St. Sophia’s cemetery across the street, this Evangelical Christian graveyard is only about 2 blocks away from the Berlin Wall on Bernauer Str. The main Entry is on Acker Str, through a lovely twisted iron gate. While I hadn’t initially planned on going in, what caught my attention as I glanced past the gate in the misty rain was the angel (at the top) framed by the lovely autumn leaves. From that moment on, I was captivated. This cemetery has not only one, but two massive renaissance style “walking angels” (above and at the bottom), beautiful copper plated female statues, and yes even Greek and Roman style mausoleums along the back and side walls. The lanes between the graves are narrow, and the landscapers hadn’t made it in to clean out the leaves yet. This made for a fabulous contrast between the black headstones and yellow maple leaves.

Problem is – I can’t decide on my favorite photograph from this particular set – because not only was the weather perfect (a fine misty drizzle) but the light was nice as well. Was it the women?

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Or the tiny loving details and ornaments?

or was it the angels, who, even in Black and White, seem to stop my heart with their serene faces and wide embracing wings?

Ahh.. I’d have to say it’s the angels that are my favorite… although… there was that one picture…that seemed to catch them all at once.