Staatsbibliothek Hug on Flickr.
Today I hug the Staatsbibliothek. While I may have a crusty exterior, I am really a romantic at heart. What does romance have to do with the Haus Potsdamer Straße of the Staatsbibliothek? Well, if you have ever seen the Wim Wenders film "Wings of Desire" - many key scenes of which take place in this modern building in Mitte - you can't help but feel a mysterious, hidden romantic presence in this building. Originally built in West Berlin to house the Staatsbibliothek collection not held behind The Wall in the original Staatsbibliothek building on Unter den Linden, this massive building is now merely an annex in the reunified state library system. But it will always be a special place. . . unlike that Mies van der Rohe monstrosity across the street.