Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free

The Legacy of the Berlin Wall: Traces and Remembrance

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

A Symbol of Divided Times

The wall built in 1961 and by the East Germany deprived the divided world of freedom symbolizing the end of the cold war. This was a 96-mile long concrete wall that divided East Berlin from West Berlin cutting through the middle of the city. Of course, its main function was to stop East Germans from escaping to the affluent Western part of the country.

Since the 1980s, it wrought ideological divisiveness on families, friends and even an entire nation at a length of nearly three decades. Nonetheless, the BERLIN WALL came crashing in 1989, following a change of power that same year and the reunification of Germany in 1990.

What Happened to the Berlin Wall After Its Fall?

Mementos and Souvenirs

After the Wall came down several segments of it were dismantled and become souvenirs or were handed out as souvenirs to people. Thousands of persons from all over the world came to Berlin to see this event and to seize a bit of the Wall. Presently parts of it are in museums, private collections, and other institutions all over the world.

The East Side Gallery

East Side Gallery is the section of the wall restored and transformed into the gallery of sorts. This part of the Wall is a little over 1.5 kilometers long and there are many paintings by international artists on it. It remains as a stimulating sob for liberty and symbol of spirit and might of the people. It is unquestionably recommended that visitors should visit the East Side Gallery especially so that they can understand the history of the Berlin Wall.

Memorial Sites

Besides the East Side Gallery, Berlin has many memorials related to the Berlin Wall site, gallery. The most famous one is the educational Berlin Wall Memorial which is situated at Bernauer Strasse. This memorial has most of the original wall as well as memorials and exhibitions of border installations and displays.

Check point Charlie museum is another place of interest that gives further insight into…escape from East to West while The Topography of Terror is an open air museum outside documenting terror and repression executed by Nazi and later GDR regime during the existence of the Wall.

The Berlin Wall Today

Most of the parts of the Berlin Wall have long gone, but one cannot say the same about the phenomenon. Germany was reunified physically in 1989 but the scars and remembrance of that wall can never be wiped away.

Traces of the Wall

It is noteworthy that as monument the Berlin Wall does not exist anymore, however there are reminders all over the city. Some streets have their alignment along the former position of the Wall and here this is indicated by a line of bricks on the ground called Berliner Mauerweg. Also, some of watchtower for example known CheckPoint Charlie remained in the concrete evidence of the past of the city.

Remembrance and Learning

Berlin has done everything possible to make sure that the history of Berlin Wall is well remembered. Indeed, museum, memorials and guided tour offer understanding of these historical years. Finally, it should be noted that coming to visit the Berlin Wall, visitors and residents of the capital simultaneously get acquainted with the history of the formation of the modern world.

Conclusion

The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a turning point in history, symbolizing the collapse of the Iron Curtain and the end of the Cold War. Although the actual Wall has largely vanished, its impact on Berlin’s landscape and the collective memory of people around the world remains profound.

Today, Berlin serves as a testament to the power of remembrance and the resilience of humanity in the face of division. Through the preservation of memorial sites, the vibrant artwork of the East Side Gallery, and the continuous efforts to educate and remember, the legacy of the Berlin Wall lives on, serving as a reminder of the importance of freedom, unity, and hope.

Thank you for reading. If you're inspired by the stories of Berlin and want to delve deeper, why not join us on our Free Berlin Walking Tour? It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • 3.5 hours walking tour
  • Berlin’s major highlights
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Reichstag and Berlin Wall
  • Historical sites

Free Walking Tour Berlin

When: Every day 10am & 12pm every day
Where: The meeting point is in front of the ehemaliges Kaiserliches Postfuhramt Berlin, Oranienburger Straße, 10117 Berlin, Germany, next to the entrance.
Price: Free