Can You Still See the Berlin Wall?
- If you are planning a trip your Berlin, you may wonder whether it is possible to visit the Berlin Wall. The wall that split the city East and West Berlin is significant historically. In this blog post I will answer the question of whether you can still see parts of the Berlin Wall.
- Berlin Wall History
- The Berlin Wall, which divided East and West Berlin from 1961 (although raised in 1965), was a physical barrier during the time of the Cold War. It was designed to keep East German citizens from migrating to West German citizens. Coupling music with pictures, the Berlin Wall marked almost three decades as a symbol of divided city and ideological conflict between the blocs of Eastern and Western.
- The Fall of the Berlin Wall
- On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall was the defining moment in history when the German government allowed people to free roam between East and West Germany. People moved to reunite the families and friends on the other side, tipping off the beginning of the wall’s demolition.”
- Do any of you still see the remains of the Berlin Wall?
- While most of the Berlin Wall was removed after the wall came down, there are still quite a few places that you can find some of the wall today.
- East Side Gallery
- The East Side Gallery is one of the world’s most famous and accessible places to see the Berlin Wall. The wall is a section of the wall that has been transformed into an open air gallery with over 100 paintings from artists the world over. The East Side Gallery resides along the Spree River adding a more colorful view on the history of the Berlin Wall.
- Checkpoint Charlie
- There’s also Checkpoint Charlie, one of the former border crossings between East and West Berlin. The original Berlin Wall checkpoint no longer exists but there is a replica of the guardhouse with people in military dress standing by. It is a historical site and a Cold War period.
- Mauerpark
- Berlin’s Mauerpark translates as Wall Park — the park sits in what was the death strip between the two walls of the Berlin Wall. It’s a tranquil space to relax, and better yet has a popular flea market each Sunday. Sections of the wall you can still find in Mauerpark remain preserved.
- Preserving the Memory
- The physical wall may no longer stand as a unified entity, but the memory, and the weight, of the Berlin Wall are honored through various museums that keep exhibitions and profound information about this history time. Two notable museums to explore are:
- DDR Museum: A museum which celebrates daily life in East Germany, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- The Berlin Wall Memorial: A memorial site and museum on Bernauer Strasse accessible by people on a tour of the history of Berlin Wall and the repercussions on peoples’ lives by it.
Conclusion
Although the Berlin Wall is no longer intact, there are still places where you can see remnants of it and learn about its history. The East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, and Mauerpark are just a few locations that allow visitors to connect with the past. Additionally, museums like the DDR Museum and The Berlin Wall Memorial provide an even deeper understanding of this significant period in history.
Visiting these sites and museums can provide a powerful and educational experience, offering a glimpse into the realities of the divided city. Make sure to include these destinations on your itinerary when visiting Berlin, to fully appreciate the historical significance of the Berlin Wall.
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