If you fancy a trip to Berlin, there is a major question that you might be pondering – can you still see the Berlin Wall. Berlin Wall was one of the means of representing the cold war and the day the wall came down was one of the most important moments. However, there are areas in which one may observe the unfinished portions of this wall that has had a major historical implication. Now it is time to have a closer look at what tourists can witness today related to the Berlin Wall.
The Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial also known as Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer is one of the places to recommend, when talking about visiting the best places that associate us with the Berlin Wall. This memorial is at Bernauer Strasse and has an installation and a range of displays relevant to the wall history including construction and impact of the wall on residents. You can also walk a couple of km of preserved section and even view the older border installations.
East Side Gallery
Another place that a tourist must visit is on the East Side Gallery. This particular was painted over and converted into an open air art gallery soon after the partition came down. This one remaining section of the Berlin Wall was painted by artists from all over the globe to become a living art and symbol of freedom as well as unity. This is because when walking in the East Side Gallery, one gets to see some of these wonded pieces of art which are each associated with different messages.
Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz, which was one of the Europe’s busiest crossroad before was cut by the Berlin Wall. Today it has been successfully transformed into a vibrant center of culture, business and leisure. Though there is no part of the piece of the wall at Potsdamer Platz, there are signs, and several plates that inform visitors of the location of the wall. Walk through this colourful square and try to picture what it was like when there was a wall in the middle.
Topography of Terror
The Topography of Terror is an open air museum situated on the grounds of the former Gestapo and SS ministry. It gives insight on timeline of the Nazi ruling government and the further partition of Berlin. Although it is not completely devoted to the German wall, still it provides a background knowledge about the wall and the events preceding its construction and the way it affected the whole social context of the city.
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was basically the border between East and West Berlin during the cold war period. Nowadays, it is one of the attractions for tourists, as well as a typical example of the divided city. The checkpoint booth now has been reconstructed, however the building itself symbolizes the uneasy and unstable situation of those years. You can also go to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum which is nearby, here you will find things and testimonies connected with the Wall.
Conclusion
Although there is no more a physical wall separating the two halves of the city, it is nevertheless still sorely felt. A visit to the mentioned sites will however help you to gain more understanding of the wall and how it affected Berlin and the world. No matter whether you decide to go to Berlin Wall Memorial, walk along the East Side Gallery, or visit other places that are connected with the wall at all, Theodor is sure you’ll gain new/improved perceptions of this exceptional period of human history.