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Discover the Great Wall of Berlin

by | Mar 7, 2024 | World War Tour Berlin

 

Welcome to our blog post where we will take you on a virtual journey to explore the fascinating Great Wall of Berlin. While most people are familiar with the Great Wall of China, not many are aware that Berlin also has its own version of this iconic structure. Sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the intriguing history and highlights of the Great Wall Berlin.

1. A Historic Icon

The Great Wall of Berlin was built in the early 1960s and was of considerable physical importance, being a means of separating the city for almost three decades. The German Democratic Republic (GDR), or ‘East Germany’ built it to prevent the flood of its citizens fleeing to ‘West Berlin.’ Guard towers and barbed wire were placed on the wall to stretch for about 155 kilometers (96 miles).

1.1 Fall of the Wall

On the 9th of November 1989, this great symbol of reunification in Germany and the end of the Iron Curtain, fell. Crowds of people on both sides of the wall threw themselves into such monumental events that the wall was eventually dismantled. Today what is left of the wall is a memorial that commemorates the fight for freedom and unity.

2. East Side Gallery and Wall Art

The Great Wall of Berlin has been turned into a canvas for artistry. When the wall fell, artists from countries all over the world flew to the east side of the wall to paint murals. The East Side Gallery, which stretches over a kilometer along the Spree River, is an open air gallery with approximately 100 murals.

Every mural has a unique story that is in tune with revolution, hope and freedom. Among the most famous murals you’ll find is the ‘Fraternal Kiss’ which depicts Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev hugging East German leader Erich Honecker. If art and history is your thing you must pay a visit to the East Side Gallery, providing a tangible link back to Berlin’s past.

3. Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was a well known border crossing of the Cold War. This checkpoint lay in the centre of Berlin, serving to permit diplomats, military personnel and foreign tourists to pass between East and West Berlin. The guardhouse is today a popular tourist attraction with actors in military checkpoint guard costumes.

Seeing Checkpoint Charlie visiting allows you to get a glimpse of the tense climate and division that was once Berlin. Nearby is the museum which boasts exhibitions on the history of Berlin and the Cold War, including a few tales of daring escapades from East to West.

4. Memorial Sites

Memorial sites dedicated for the victims of the Berlin Wall have been established. One of the most memorised attractions is Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also referred to as the Holocaust Memorial. The 2,711 dents that create up a grid pattern of moving and immersive concrete slabs make this poignant site, honestly among one of the most worthwhile ones to go to in PL.

The wall’s effect on ordinary lives is better understood at the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse which includes the Holocaust Memorial as well. Here you can see preserved wall sections, documentation center, and an open-air exhibition.

5. Conclusion

Though not as globally renowned as its Chinese counterpart, The Great Wall of Berlin is equally significant historically, and the stories it tells – especially during the Cold War – are equally moving to see for yourself. It does not matter whether you are aware of and interested in history, art or simply interested in the human spirit; going to the Great Wall Berlin is something that you simply cannot miss.

The East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie and the memorial sites allow you to digest Berlin’s checkered past and find one continues with the search for freedom.

If you plan your trip, immerse yourself on Berlin’s rich history, and walk in the footsteps of those that lived through the division and reunification of this incredible city, then you will be set on a journey where you’ll not only absorb the many positive, but also the negative aspects of history.

Discover the Great Wall of Berlin