Do you want to read more about Berlin Wall history? Sometimes you may be left asking whether one can even pay a visit to this contemporary symbol? Well, you’re in luck! This blog post will attempt to answer to what extent one can still visit the Berlin Wall as well as look into its history, importance and some of places that tourists can go to.
The Berlin Wall: A Brief History
Also known as the Wall of Shame, the Berlin Wall was a physical as well as an ideological barrier in Berlin, Germany, in existence between 1961 and 1989. It was constructed by the Germans Democratic Republic (East Germany) to check the movement of east Berliners into the west Berlin which was occupied by the western nations. This stretch ran for about 155km and included walls of concrete, barbed wire and watch towers.
For nearly three decades, the fight of the two Germanic state s divided by the berlin wall formed the symbol of cold war. Many pieces of art depict shattered families, and dangerous attempts at crossing the border have become associated with the wall.
Tours to Berlin Wall Today
Though the wall demised more than a quarter of a century ago, the memory of the Berlin Wall is still fresh. I am glad to point out that one can still go to different areas where at least a small segment of the wall remains today. These sites provide great historical background about the city itself and must be visited for anyone who cares about history.
The East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is actually the portion of the Berlin Wall that is still standing and painted in bright murals. This artery starts right from the city centre and is a 1.3 KM long tunnel painted with over a hundred murals that each have their take on the theme of ‘Cold War’. By standing for artistic freedom, it also symbolises political freedom as well.
The Berlin Wall Memorial
The climate of Berlin essentially has a cold, moist summer that is followed by a cold winter season and the Berlin Wall Memorial provides the visitors with historical experience that covers all aspects. Sited at Bernauer Strasse in the area of city center, this memorial incorporates a segment of the wall, watchtowers and the documentation centre. The clients could walk through the exhibits, see details of escape from the jail, and get an idea of how people lived constructing the wall.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is another important location which became one of the world’s most popular checkpoint during cold war period. The old guardhouse is not preserved to this day, however, an imitation of it is located at the exact place, and contributes to the impression of the atmosphere of the time, as well as the difficulties faced by those people who tried to overcome the division of East and West Berlin. The checkpoint is accompanied by a mini museum that gives an insight of the wall as well as impacts it on the lives of people.
Top Tips for Your Visit
When planning your visit to the Berlin Wall, keep these tips in mind:
Recommend comfortable walking shoes; There is considerable construction at the sites where the memorial services will be held and a certain amount of walking may be required.
One may consider going for the self driving tour that will help him or her to get more information about the Berlin Wall.
Carry a map with you or if you have a map enabled device, then have it handy in order to switch between one part of the wall and other.
Do not touch or draw on the murals on the wall located in the East Side proper.
Finally, visiting parts of the Berlin Wall immediately makes it possible to recall the events and understand the hardships that people experienced along with rejoicing over the unity and freedom which arrived after the division.
Therefore, if one is ever in Berlin they should seize the chance and learn more about this historical barrier. Berlin Wall is more than simple conception of a wall; it is symbolic marker in time that altered Germany’s history.
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