Mind Over Matterhorn: The Biggest Manmade Mountain in the World
Written by John Mackey
For a city that was bombed into oblivion during World War II, Berlin is surprisingly rich in historic landmarks. From the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column to the Reichstag and what’s left of the infamous wall, you can trace the modern history of Europe by its monuments. But if German architect Jakob Tigges has his way, all those monuments will fall under the long shadow of his latest undertaking, a proposed 1,000-meter manmade mountain simply called, “The Berg.” In the most serious case of “Alp Envy” since Disneyland’s Matterhorn, this mile-high mound would occupy the space of the now vacant Templhof Airport, the site of the historic Berlin airlift, and play host to a ski area, an Ariel tramway, and even imported mountain goats.
The Berg Manifesto:
“While big and wealthy cities in many parts of the world challenge the limits of possibility by building gigantic hotels with fancy shapes, erecting sky-high office towers or constructing hovering philharmonic temples, Berlin sets up a decent mountain. Its peak exceeds 1000 meters and is covered with snow from September to March.
Hamburg, as stiff as fat, turns green with envy. Rich and once proud Munich starts to feel ashamed of its distant Alp-panorama and planners of the Middle East, experienced in taking the spell off any kind of architectural utopia, immediately design authentic copies of the iconic Berlin Mountain. Tempelhof no longer only is on Berliners’ minds; People come in flocks to – not to see the mountain.” Thus,
Come and see The Berg!
The farfetched idea of The Berg has gained a surprising amount of support from Berliners, with over 3,500 friends on its Facebook page, as well as numerous endorsements from local media. And if you consider the history of Berlin, one thing is for certain: stranger things have happened.
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