The Wall in Berlin erected in 1961 was made of concrete and sought to separate Berlin half known as East Berlin from the other half known as West Berlin. It had united West and East Berlin during the time of Cold War and has split Germany in two.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
It is 9th November, 1989 that Berlin Wall which separated East from West Germany was demolished and the two were merged. Despite the growing years, parts of the wall were still visible today in few areas although most of it were removed few months and years later.
East Side Gallery
The longest preserved part of the East Side Gallery can be found in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough along the Mühlenstrasse. This walk and cycle way is also a big mural painted specially by over 100 artists from all parts of the world. It has now evolved into a major tourist attraction giving messages on liberty and hope.
People can stroll on the East Side Gallery and enjoy both art and history associated with the wall. It symbolizes the division and the fight for freedom that was won.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie, one of the most recognizable crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold war, it another place where leftovers of the Berlin Wall can still be seen. Even though the checkpoint booth itself is a reconstructed one, the sign ‘You are leaving the American sector’ is actually the one used even back in the day.
To inform yourself about the history of Checkpoint Charlie, there is a museum right beside Checkpoint Charlie telling stories of the Berlin Wall. While the wall is no longer standing at this site, one can hardly feel the stories of the place being is losing the present at the given site of the former border crossing.
Other Berlin Wall Memorials
Apart from Eastern Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie, there are other monuments and memorial through out Berlin which represent the existence of the wall and eventually its demolition.
Topography of Terror
The Topography of Terror is an open air and indoor museum telling the history of the Gestapo and the former SS headquarters. Even though its main emphasis is on the period of the Third Reich, the museum also offers valuable information and primary experiences of the construction of the East/West dividum called the Berlin Wall. Originally, it contains a preserved fragment of the wall and another exhibit, which provided general information about the wall.
Mauerpark
Mauerpark in district of Prenzlauer Berg was part of the death strip that was adjacent to the wall of death. At present, it is an active park containing city inhabitants’ recreational spots for picnicking, selling of various goods at roadside bazaars, or simply enjoying an outdoor music concert. There are some parts of the Berlin wall painted, where graffiti art surrounds it today.
DDR Museum
The DDR Museum is a non-traditional museum which offers the visitors a possibility to understand the life of people living in East Germany at the time of the Cold War. Although, the division of the museum by themes gives an idea of different aspects of the daily life of Germans, there is a section in the museum devoted to the Berlin Wall. There is an opportunity to observe an imitation of the apartment building belonged to East Germany as well as an imitation of the border barrier.
Closing Thoughts
You could easily think that the Berlin Wall no longer exists, however, there are still locations in Berlin where you can still observe the pieces and learn more about the barriers. From the murals on the East Side Gallery, to Checkpoint Charlie, the division which divided East and West Berlin, to simple and sobering exhibitions in different museums; the city provides plenty of facets through which one can engage with this chapter of the world’s history.
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