The programme starts now, Berlin – the city of history and so many more histories to be told. All the monuments and tourist attractions of the native city are equally divided into parts that belong to history and those, which are prisons of Berlin. In this blog post, let us find out more about the infamous prisons of Berlin and how you can also start a great walking tour into them.
The Historical Significance of Prisons in Berlin
Some of its prisons played important roles during different centuries of Berlin’s history, filled with political and social upheavals. Members of their generation saw the power of the Nazis, the Cold War partition of the city and people’s fight for their rights. Visiting these prisons is very beneficial because it helps people learn about the unsavory history of Berlin and learn about people’s struggle for freedom.
1. Hohenschönhausen Memorial
Hohenschönhausen Memorial is in the former East Berlin, the site was a Stasi prison during the communism reign. This gaunt building contained political prisoners that rebelled against the dictatorship. Today, people walking around are able to observe this wall and recall how much oppression and spying the folks of the eastern sector of Berlin had to put up with. Pay to get taken on a walking tour here as the guide takes you through the narratives of former inmates and walks you through a shocking transformation of being imprisoned by the Stasi.
2. Berliner Plumpsklo
Another perhaps lesser known, yet no less interesting place is Berliner Plumpsklo, or literally, Outside Toilets of Berlin. Not a real jail in the modern sense, this was a 19th-century detention facility for those who got out of line in 19th-century Berlin: drunk, disorderly, or in a fight. Rendering it valuable as a look at the social hierarchy of the period. It may sound quite strange, but this visit reveals the other side of Berlin’s history.
3. Berlin Prison for Celibacy, Lehrter Street
In this case the Berliner Zellengefängnis Lehrter Straße also referred to as Lehrter Strasse Prison was key during World War II. It imprisoned resistance fighters who fought against the Nazi and later formed as a main prison for the Soviet Secret Police. Part of the prison was burnt down but some parts remain intact to give visitors an idea on the kind of experiences the prisoners went through.
When, Where and How to Begin Your Walking Tour
As you now know the famous prisons in Berlin let’s now find out how you can have a great time during the walking tour.
1. Research and Plan
First of all, use the internet to learn about the prisons you are interested in and the possible prison walking tours. One should seek more experienced colleagues who carry out sightseeing in Berlin as one of the specialists in this field. Concern yourself with their expertise, the reviews that they’ve given, and which prisons they have examined. While some tours may only offer tours of one specific prison, others will give the tour goers a look at multiple prisons.
2. Always dress with comfort and have some essentials with you
Walking tours mean covering the city on foot hence it is advisable that you wear comfortable shoes and appropriate dressing code in case of bad weather. There is also need to pack some items such as water, sun screen cream and even a map of the place.
3. Comparing Guided versus Self-Guided Tours
Determine whether you would like a guided tour of the prisons and what kind of tour will it be or the tour you wish to take will be self-guided. Company tours give an individual a lot of information from the tour guides who are normally skilled on the subject. Self-guided tours are far more flexible than guided, because the former give you an opportunity to do everything and visit as many prisons as you wish for a certain amount of time.
4. Respectful Conduct
It is important to be cautious of the historical sites these are when paying a visit to them. Note that many sad stories happened in these places, and they are historical for those people. These are like:; Adhere to any directions given by the tour guides and ensure one is courteous.
5. Capture Memories and Reflect
There are usually no objections to photography and one should be careful not to take pictures at the wrong places. It is important to spend a moment or two focused on the seriousness of these locations and the history to be had within them. For further elaboration of perceived issues you might want to participate in post-tour discussions or go through the educational materials.
Conclusion
When walking through the area and visiting the prisons once known as the Pearl of The East one can quickly get to know the tory of Berlin and its people. Behind the iron doors of the Stasi prison in Hohenschönhausen; behind the seen and unseen features of Berliner Plumpsklo every prison has its story.
When selecting your ideal tour, do as much research as possible, be prepared, as well as pick that tour that speaks to you. It is important to be polite when participating in such an experience, you have to be conscious and eager or ready to learn. Thus, you will go through the story in Berlin involving various moments that would broaden your vision about this city’s history as well as your vision in general.
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