hidden europe 8

The way to Philadelphia

by hidden europe

Summary

Philadelphia is decidedly un-American! Because this Philadelphia is not the great city on the Delaware river; instead, it lies in a very rural part of eastern Germany, close by the Turkish Mountains and just a stone's throw from New Boston.

The passengers on the boat waved as they drifted by. Why is that those afloat always feel so impelled to wave at people they have never met? "How far to Philadelphia," we shouted across to the man in uniform who stood at the helm of the vessel.

"Not far," he called back. "You're almost there. Just stick to the bank and you'll see it on your left." The onward journey was a bit of a scramble, as we followed the waterway on through meadows and forests, but by nightfall we had reached Philadelphia.

But this is not the great city founded by William Penn on the banks of the Delaware river.

Related articleFull text online

From Prussia to Russia: Kaliningrad

With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the Baltic port of Kaliningrad found itself strangely isolated from the rest of Russia. Hemmed in by the European Union, the city of Kaliningrad is rethinking its role in the modern world. It is a remarkable city in a remarkable region.

Related articleFull text online

Potsdam's hidden history

Amid the parks and palaces of Potsdam (near Berlin) is an area known as the Neuer Garten ('New Garden'). For almost fifty years, part of it was an extraordinary 'forbidden city' - a place reserved for the Russian military and the KGB. hidden europe explores this area through the eyes of one woman.

Related blog post

Out of the ruins: in search of the old Magdeburg

Paul Scraton explores the German city of Magdeburg armed with a map from 1910. Largely rebuilt after the Second World War, Magdeburg's streetscape has greatly changed. The old map is not ideal for navigating the city, but it offers rich insights into the history of Magdeburg.