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 Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall: A Symbol of Division in Germany

by | Oct 29, 2024 | Original Berlin

Intro

From 1961 until 1989 Berlin split physically between the Berlin Wall. The wall’s virtues were many, but perhaps one of its most powerful was also the one that stood out the most: its ability to turn the physical real estate of East and West Berlin into separate and separate areas, marking and symbolizing Cold War ideologies, as the communist Eastern Bloc was divided from the capitalist Western Bloc.

Construction and Goal

Berlin Wall construction began August 13, 1961. The immense embarrassment caused by the East German government’s and Soviet allies’ over the flight of East Germans to the West drove largely its development. Constructed utilizing a complex system of fences, barriers, and watchtowers, the wall at last measured 155 km (96 miles).

Berlin, East and West: The Wall’s Impact

The Berlin Wall’s partition impacted the daily life of the East and West Berlin residents greatly. It transformed the city substantially and generated somewhat different political systems and living conditions.

The wall of East Berlin physically reflected the Iron Curtain, which restricted population isolation and freedom of movement. The East German administration and the Soviet Union considered the wall as a required precaution to stop “fascist intrusion” and protect the socialist state from the harmful influence of the West.

Conversely, West Berlin became a lively enclave inside East Germany. Given democratic institutions and a developing economy, it was a sharp contrast to the totalitarian governments of the Eastern Bloc. The wall reminded one of the political and ideological differences dividing the East from the West.

Deletion and Recognition

The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, announced the end of the Cold War. Growing pressure from a world changing and nonviolent protests had a big impact on the ultimate dismantling of the wall.

Once the wall collapsed on October 3, 1990, Germany united to form one nation. One of the several challenges the reunification process brought was combining two somewhat different political, social, and economic systems. Still, it also suggested a moment of immense German triumph.

Inherited and Learnt Knowledge

The Berlin Wall is an amazing reminder of the outcomes of division, oppression, and the continuous human spirit. Representing the fight for freedom, it has become a well-known destination attracting visitors from all around the world.

Among other things, the Berlin Wall reminds us of the need of communication and understanding in enabling the distance between opposing ideas to be closed. The fall of the wall shows how regularly nonviolent efforts can bring until unheard-of transformation and the demolition of repressive barriers.

Moreover, the Berlin Wall teaches us the perseverance and resolve of people longing independence. It shows how human spirit can transcend even the most difficult obstacles.

Complete

The Berlin Wall physically represented the political and ideological polarizing of the world during the Cold War. For almost 28 years, its existence had a major impact on the daily of millions of Berlin citizens and served as a potent image of separation.

The fall of the Berlin Wall promised a better future and let Germany to be reunited. Still, its past reminds us of the need of solidarity, tolerance, and defense of freedom.

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