The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
From 1961 to 1989, the Berlin Wall (physically) divided East and West Berlin. It served as a symbol for the idea of a separation between two ideological systems, capitalism and communism, but at the same time it was a graph that was a vivid witness remember the Cold War times. This wall was a structural border control, preventing people from the East Germany to the West Germany.
At the end of the 1980s riots and political changes came over Eastern Europe appearing to be attacking the Berlin Wall. The barrier was open to its citizens from East Germany on November 9, 1989, when the East German government announced that their citizens would be free to cross the barrier. It represented the end of the Berlin Wall.
Berlin Wall Destruction
Once the announcement had been made, euphoric crowds were armed with hammers and chisels to tear down the physical embodiment of division. Both sides of people chipped the concrete and blew away vast parts of the wall. This global resonation of the German unification, symbolized by this spontaneous act of unity, was the first occasion where a country, the then West Germany, embraced the act of unity spontaneously.
But not all of the wreckage of the Berlin Wall were torn down. Some wall parts were preserved to be historical monuments and some reminders of the past. Today, these remnants invite visitors who come from around the world to witness a little of the city’s split history.
The Remaining Sections
While most of the Berlin Wall has been taken down, several bits of it remain as stark symbols of how Berlin was once divided, and then reunited. It isn’t just historical landmarks but the sections are also an opportunity to meet and interact with the past.
-
East Side Gallery
On the Berlin Wall one of the most famous parts is the East Side Gallery. It was positioned along the Spree river, stretching for 1.3 kilometers and stood for more than 100 murals done by the artists all over the world. They are bright, colourful artworks encapsulating the dreams, hopes and realities of a nation in the throes of the separation to independence. It is an open air gallery for all to see.
The East Side Gallery gives visitors a chance to walk along the remains and appreciate the thought provoking work and what the dismantling of the wall means.
-
Berlin Wall Memorial
In Bernauer Strasse there’s another site where sections of the wall have been preserved — the Berlin Wall Memorial. It provides a complete sweep of the history of the wall and its effect on Berliners’ lives. Available to visitors are audiovisual presentations, personal testimonies, and historical artifacts, all contributing to the exhibition.
Preserved is a part of the wall itself and a reconstruction of the border installations including a platform to allow visitors to walk along on one side and see the other side of the wall.
-
Checkpoint Charlie
Once, a checkpoint for crossing to the East, it is now a tourist near the top of the tourist list. The original checkpoint was removed pretty soon after the wall came down, but a replica was built, so you can envision the tension and the scrutiny you were under if you tried to cross the border.
Outside, there’s an outdoor exhibit that includes informational panels on the history of the Berlin Wall, as well as the attempts that East Germans made to escape to the West. It shows how ingenuous and brave people who want to be free are.
Conclusion
The story of the Berlin Wall remains compelling to many all over the world. Most of the wall was torn down, but pieces have been saved as important reminders of the walls and the latter division. The visitors can visit these who remain sections like East side Gallery, Berlin Wall Memorial and Check point Charlie to have a good experience based understanding of the historical moments that occurred here.
The Berlin Wall is a monument to human will and freedom. As they stand as witnesses to the past, these remnants summon us to think about the value of unity and of division.
Table of Contents
