Gumbo was visiting the Berliner Rathaus (city hall), also known as the Rotes (red) Rathaus. Mostly our photo clues were taken on a self-guided tour of the interior, but that didn't stop George G from recognizing where Gumbo was. Congratulations, George, for your continued excellent detective work!
PHeymont has previously published an excellent piece on the Berliner Rathaus, which I encourage you to read. His post mostly looked at the interesting and unique exterior of the building, whereas the puzzle took a closer look at those rooms you can visit if you tour the interior of the Rathaus.
When we visited Alexanderplatz in Berlin, the street at the front of City Hall was torn open for construction purposes -- work on the metro -- so it was difficult to get a good photo of the front of the building. But the image below shows the elegant buidling's relationship to the Neptune Fountain.
The Rotes Rathaus was built of red bricks between 1861 and 1869, complete with a 74-metre-high clock tower, and was home to the city's government. Like most buildings in Berlin, the Rathaus was severely damaged by Allied bombing raids during WWII. After the war, it was under Soviet control in East Berlin and when restored functioned as East Berlin's City Hall. Following German reunification in 1991, the Rotes Rathaus became the seat of the united Berlin's government, including the mayor's offices.
The entry into the Rathaus is grand, featuring an elegant rib-vaulted ceiling and a colorful stained glass window over the door that seems of Soviet era design...
At the top of the stairs we had a chance to study the fine ceiling and some of the display cases showing assorted artifacts and memorabilia.
Scattered busts and statuary were on display.
The most beautiful hall in the Rathaus is this nine-meter high pillared space, with bright orange ceiling, that features busts of prominent Berliners. This space was once the library and now often hosts rotating exhibitions.
The armorial hall -- named for the windows with emblems representing all districts in Berlin -- used to be the meeting place of the city council assembly. Today it is used as a reception room for guests of state.
The great ceremonial hall functioned as as the assembly hall for East Berlin's city council but today is used for receptions and ceremonies.
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