From Prague to Berlin via Dresden

We hated to leave Prague.  I think it may be my favorite city on this trip--which is a big surprise.  The Hotel Atlantic was staffed by helpful, friendly people and the city is a happening place.  But off we go to Berlin.
Halfway along we stopped in Dresden for lunch and learned the unbelievable fact that in one night in February, 1945, Allied bombers destroyed 90% of the city, killing 25,000 citizens.  The city has been under reconstruction ever since.

This is the Lutheran Church of Our Lady today.  The darker stones you see here were catalogued and saved from the destroyed church and they were used in the rebuilding of the church.  You can see that they contrast with the lighter, new, sandstone blocks used to fill in the missing stones when the church was put back together like a giant puzzle.

This statue of Martin Luther stands before the church.  Inside it is hard to believe there has been a reconstruction.  The altar soars into the heavens...

...and the dome overhead is in itself a major work of art.

We stayed to listen to an amazing organ concert and then went for lunch at a very chilly Swiss restaurant....

Baba wrapped up in an Ikea fleece

and my somewhat different crispy spinach lasagna.

Back on the road again, we saw one of many deer bridges constructed to give wild life safe passage across the autobahn. 

High fences on either side of the highway prevent the deer from crossing in front of vehicles, so a place for them to cross safely is essential.  Very thoughful I must say.  

Just before we got to Berlin, we saw one of many fields of huge windmills...

These and the many solar panels we saw are testimony to the German committment to sustainability.  These efforts are heavily subsidized by the German government--perhaps we in the US could take a page from their book?