Here comes the second installment of my new blog series – train stations of Berlin! (Click here for the first one.)
Hermannplatz is one of the busiest train stations in Berlin. It serves as an interchange between two service lines (U7 and U8) and was opened in 1926. The station´s architects were Alfred Grenander and Alfred Gehse.
The station is directly situated under a square also called Hermannplatz which houses a food market 2 or 3 days a week in the very densely populated district of Neukölln.
It was the first station in the Berlin network that was fitted with escalators, which connected the two platforms.
Due to its enormous size it´s one of the most impressive stations in Berlin. The ceiling is 7,25 m (23,8 ft ; 7,9 yard) high and the platform is 135 m long (443 ft; 147,6 yard).
Although the station has been modernized in 1993, parts of the original construction and decor have been preserved, especially the tiles of the art-deco pillars holding the ceiling.
This station holds a sweet memory for me: Since my school was in a different district from where I lived, I had to take the train every morning to get there. It was quite a long ride too, over 30 minutes and I used to make some of my homework on board (especially maths which I hated).
Luckily quite a lot of kids in my class had to do the same and I was always in good company, scribbling down numbers or hastily translating and comparing some sentences from Latin into German.
One day, I must have been about 15 years old, I spotted a guy whom I instantly had a huge crush on, standing on the platform of the U7 and then joining me on the train. Since I was late that day, none of my classmates were with me and I had him all to myself so to speak. Which only means that I stared at him with eyes wide open, unblinking, drinking him in. That day, I didn´t do my homework on the train. 😉
Unfortunately he left the train a couple of stations earlier, obviously he went to a different school which was just my luck. I was both flying high and drowning in sorrow that day, certain that I would never see him again.
But I did!! 🙂 Clever as I was, I decided to take the later train again next day (side note: I still made it in time to school – but only just 😉 ) and see if he would be there again, which he was!
This went one for about a year.
He was very tall, blond with blue eyes, high cheekbones and a straight nose and all in all reminded me of a viking – a viking who was admittedly wearing a baseball cap and lowsitting trousers which were very en vogue back then. And because I couldn’t just name him “the guy” when I was talking about him with my friends, I decided to name him “Hermann” which really is a very German name and not at all fashionable anymore but totally made sense to me since “Hermannplatz” is where he joined my train.
Unfortunately he seemed to have changed schools after a year – or simply couldn’t stand being admired anymore – which admittedly is all that I did since I never found the courage to talk to him, him being a couple of years older and all.
I never saw him again, but every time I am at Hermannplatz I have to smile. 🙂
Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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Oh! Thank you so much!!!! What a lovely Christmas surprise! 😀
Have a very lovely day, Douglass! 🙂
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You’re most welcome!
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Great photos and I just loved the story of Hermann. So typical of teenagers no matter where they are in the world. I’m glad it ended with a smile. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Diana! Yes, teenagers are so similar in this regard, no matter if they live in New York or Mumbai! LOL! I think that´s actually a wonderful thing and also reassuring. Shows how alike we all are as humans, no matter out cultural background and upbringing.
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I like that too. Seeing that human commonality across cultures and distances and divides is one of the best things about blogging. ❤
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This brings back memories of my Fulbright year in Berlin and the U-Bahn stations. I loved the musicians who played as we boarded and exited the trains. Hustle and bustle of every day life. Thanks for the post.
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I’m glad my photos reminded you of the wonderful time you had here! 😄
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Indeed. Keep the photos coming. Enjoy your Advent.
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I will! And thanks! You too! 😄
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My pleasure. 🙂
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I have a friend who would love these posts–he loves trains. Not to say I don’t–wonderful story about your unrequited love. Sigh.
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Thanks so much, Jacqui! Unrequited love is something most people can identify with at some point or other in their life 😉 Always a good topic for writing I imagine 😁
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What stunning photos of an amazing train station! I love the Art Deco design.
Oh, what a cute story about Hermann! He may be wondering where the lovely girl from the train is now and wished he hadn’t been so shy to approach her. 💝🚇
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Haha! Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Rose! I’m sure he never lost a thought to me, though I definitely prefer your version 😉😚💗🌹
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Hi Sarah, sorry to have not checked this post earlier. Your photos are so professional and such a great train station you have there! I hope your mum is back home and making good recovery… thoughts and prayers for both of you. ⚘ Take good care and much love too! Hugs ♥️
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Thanks so much, Iris! And I’m so sorry for not having replied earlier to your lovely message and good wishes! Life’s currently tumbling over me and I fear I have a lot of catching up to do, and not only blogwise 😉 Hope you are well and enjoying a beautiful summer! Take good care of you too! Much, much love and many hugs, my friend! 😊😚💕🐨🌺🌹
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Hope cicumstances will improve for you, Sarah. Take good care, my friend, and keep well! 🌹 🌻 🕊
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😄😚❤🐨🌹🌺
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Oh I love your story, Sarah! It is so romantic, and I hope a miracle happen and the blonde Hermann reads your blog 🙂 You know well that when the boys grow up they change their mind about the girls who are younger than them, and pay more attention 😉 Great photographs, as usual. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Haha! That would indeed be incredibly awesome if he happened to stumble upon my blog! 😁 And you’re so right about boys changing their preference as they get older – LOL! 😂
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, dear Inese! Xxxxxxxxx 💕
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❤
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I love your post. Made me grin.
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Thank you, Cynthia! 😊
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Fantastic post! Just love it 🙂
I read in the comments, you mum might be released this week from the hospital. Keeping my fingers crossed. Big hug! XxX
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Thank you, Patty!
We hope she can go home tomorrow or on Wednesday – she’s understandably eager to sleep in her own bed again. Big hugs! xxx
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What a lovely story that complements so well your beautiful photos. Happy to discover your blog (thanks to The Arty Plantsman) and can’t wait to see and read more of your work. -Dominique
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Thanks very much for your lovely comment, Dominique! 😄 I look forward to discover your blog as well! Have a wonderful weekend! Sarah 😊
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Nice meeting you Sarah! Hope you will find something you like on my blog.
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Already did and look forward to your future posts! 😊
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Super-duper! Can’t wait to read you again soon too… And see those amazing pictures of yours!
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Thanks so much, Dominique! You make me blush! 😄
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I have seen a lot more of your blog since my comment above and I must say I am very impress by your aesthetic of all things, not only your photographies but your artworks and your writing. Beautiful! I must admit, I have a thing for vampires (don’t judge please), but never read anything like your vampire rabbit. Can’t wait to read more about your version of Count Dracula. Great read.
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Thank you very much, Dominique! That means a lot to me 😄
As you can tell already, I’ve also got a soft spot for vampires 😉 The rabbit element in my story is my attempt to bring something new to it and I’m so glad that you like it! 😄
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I loved it! Want to read more of this story. Such a great read!
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Aww – thank you sooo much! You totally made my day, dear Dominique! Hope you have a great one! 😄💕
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My pleasure Sarah. Just know that it is easy to write comments to you; simply love everything on your blog! I’m having a lovely day, thanks. Same to you!
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😄😚💕
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What a wonderful touch of romance added to these amazing photos, Sarah! And you have such great memories, too. It’s funny, I’ve never been on a train. 🙂 It’s on my bucket list though, and there is the Skunk Train up here that goes into Old Town Sacramento that my husband and I plan to hop on sometime soon. It would be a short, fun beginning to my train adventures (2 hours). Shifting subjects, how is your mom doing? I’ve been thinking of you and hoping she’s doing okay…sending love and hugs 💓💓
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Thank you so much, Lauren!
And you definitely should go on that train ride with your husband – there´s something utterly romantic about it 😉 I always dream of someday hop on the Transsiberian Train – I´m sure that would be something quite remarkable!
Thanks so much for your love and hugs – I really need them at the moment! My mum is still in hospital but they plan to release her this week. Sending you love and hugs right back, my friend! 😀 xoxoxo ❤
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What a romantic story about Hermann and Hermannplatz! It is so wonderful that you have such strong memories tied to this place.
How on earth did you manage to get those first couple of captures without anyone in them? Were you there super early???
P/S I love this new Train Station series!
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Thank you very much! And although I was there quite early, I simply was lucky with those shots – I´ve made many others with people in it, too! 😀 I know from semi-professional photographers that they prefer to make most of their city shots at 5 am – that would be far too early for me! 😀 LOL!
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What a lovely station and a great story. I love it when places jog our memories… I wonder what would have happened if you had spoken to him! 🙂 Have a great weekend xx
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Thank you very much, Gill! 😀
I doubt there would have happened much except that I humiliated myself 😉
Have a lovely weekend! xx
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Another great installment! These are stories you’re picking out for us and we like them 😀
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Thanks so much, Christy! 😀
Have a wonderful weekend! xxxxx ❤
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Lovely story, I wish there was a photo of “Hermann” maybe you could sketch him, I would love to see how he looked !
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Thanks a lot! I kind of wish I had a photo too, but back in those days there weren’t any smartphones 😉 From what I can recall he would have made for a great “Thor” – although Chris Hemsworth isn´t bad either 😉
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ok 😉
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I just watched a creepy movie set in Berlin, Berlin Syndrome. It was so powerful that all I can think about is the apartment on the east side of Berlin. Love your shots, though, and don’t watch the film if you are easily frightened.
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Thank you, Kerry! Haven´t watched that movie yet but it sounds interesting! Have a lovely weekend! xxx ❤
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You, too. 😘
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Sarah, I can’t stop smiling at your lovely post and sweet story. I travelled to Berlin quite a lot in my year in Germany but don’t think I visited this station, alas. It looks amazing and so atmospheric from your photos…Leipzig was my favourite station and I always felt like I’d stepped into a movie set and would stand mesmerised in front of the departure board, daydreaming of the all possible places to visit with just one step onto a train.
Ahh…how my heart filled with happiness reading about your Herman .. wonderful memories for you to cosy up to. Also spookily close to the book I’m currently reading based in the author’s true story where she meets her ‘true love’ on the train whilst commuting to work. For a year she looks at him, whilst he barely notices her…I have a bit to Read yet but from the blurb I know they did meet and get married!
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Thanks so much for your wonderful comment, Annika! 😀 What a lovely coincidence that the book you´re currently reading is about something similar to my story! 😀 It must be true: love and trains go hand in hand… 🙂 I actually wrote a short story about my crush back in the day, very teensy, very girly. I know I´ve still got it somewhere… maybe it´s time to unearth it again 😉 I´m sure I would write it differently now! And probably add a happy ending 😉 That´s the beauty of writing fiction, isn´t it? We can change things the way we like 🙂
I´m sorry it took me so long to reply – my mum had an accident last Wednesday (she fell from a ladder and broke her shoulder and arm) and ever since I´m quite beside myself. She´s still in hospital but I hope she will be released soon, so I can take care of her. I´m now warning everyone I know to please not step alone on a ladder, or at least have a phone nearby. Please take care!
Wishing you a beautiful new week and hope the editing goes well! 🙂 xxx
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Sarah, I’m so sorry to read about your Mum. Poor her and you too…sending virtual hugs to you both. ❤️How is she now? Is she out of hospitable yet? Do you live nearby so it’s easy for you to help? How frightening and painful … those are serious injuries. Please take care of yourself whilst you take care of her. You are right about the danger of ladders. I worry as only the other day my mother had climbed up one to fix a light..I’d said I’d do it next time I’m over but no, her independent spirit would not wait. Luckily all okay and yes, she at least has a phone with her!
Ahh..you wrote a story about it as young! How wonderful…you’ll have to find it and see how it feels to you now; I think a lot better than you imagine! Oh yes, do add a happy ending on your new version if you ever write it…the wonders of fiction!!
The editing is all complete and the manuscript finished and now with my publisher…I’m posting about it all tomorrow.
Many thanks for your lovely comment and well wishes…hope it’s a better week for you and your Mum. Thinking of you, hugs xx
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Thank you so much for your beautiful, warm and kind words, dear Annika. My mum is finally back home and I’m staying with her for the time being, it’s much easier that way. And I am so, so glad your mum got safely back on the ground! It’s been a similar reason here: my mum wanted to get a pair of winter boots and wouldn’t want to wait for me. It’s a the same sense of wanting to be as independent as she can that drove her up that ladder I think. Although very severe it could have been much worse.
Oh, the editing is complete! I am so very happy for you and will head over to your blog to read all about it!
Wish a very lovely weekend, my dear friend! Many hugs back! xxx 😊
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What a sweet story! You sound a lot like me at that age. I also had huge crushes on guys who were usually older than me and who had no idea I existed. And I never had the courage to do anything but admire, either. Which may have been a good thing, who knows?
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Thanks so much, Ann! How wonderful that you share similar memories! And it is lovely to know that I wasn´t the only one not daring to make myself known. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
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That is the sweetest story told with the gauche innocence of the young girl you were. Captivating. And the station …. oh my! I am in love all over again! Xxxxxxx
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Thanks so much, Fiona! 🙂 I often remember those sweet innocent days 😉
Wish you a beautiful weekend! xxxxxxxxx ❤
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A sweet memory, Sarah. Sigh! And, a beautiful train station. I loved this post. Thank you!
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Thank you very much, Jennie! 😀
Have a lovely weekend!
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You’re welcome, Sarah. Happy weekend! 🙂
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Love your pictures and even more so with your younger age lovely story 🙂
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Thanks very much! 😀
Have a great weekend!
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I love how you’ve woven such a sweet, personal story in so seamlessly with these stunning, but stark and angular black and white images. It’s a lovely, clever juxtaposition. Hugs and smiles from a very cold wet Auckland 🙂 xxxxxxx
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Thanks so much, Su!
So sorry for not having replied earlier – my mum had an accident on Wednesday, she fell off a ladder and broke her shoulder and arm. Today she underwent surgery but is still in a lot of pain. I´m not sure how much I will be around the next days or weeks –
Hope the weather in NZ will improve soon! Here it´s also cold and rainy.
Wish you a lovely weekend! Much love! xxxxxxx
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I just messaged you to say how sorry I am to hear about your mum. I know this must be a really stressful time. I’m thinking of you and sending hugs. xxxxxxx
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Thanks so much, Su!! 😀 xxxxxxxxx ❤
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So sorry to hear about your Mum’s accident an surgery, Sarah! Hope she is feeling better!
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Thanks so much! She´s still in quite a lot of pain, but it was a big surgery so that´s kind of normal I guess. Hope she can go home on Tuesday where I will take care of her. xxx
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Your Mom is so fortunate to have you looking after her! Don’t forget to take care of yourself as well!
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Thank you! And I will! You too take care (and please keep away from ladders when you’re alone!!)! Have a wonderful weekend and happy writing! 😄💕
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What a sweet story to go with your photos and story about Herrmanplatz.
How new and innocent love can be.😊 .
hug
miriam
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Thank you, Miriam! Those innocent days are long gone but I like to think about them from time to time. It’s interesting how our perception of love changes over the years just like everything else. 😄 Many hugs to you! xxx
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What a great story! I’m happy you have good memories of Hermannplatz. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Jill! 😄
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Romance and trains go hand in hand. A great story to go with your photos, made me smile. 🙂
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Thanks so much! 😄
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