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.
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The Rise and Fall of the Formidable Berlin Wall

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

When it comes to the symbols of division few other buildings in the world have had such an impact like this one, the Berlin Wall. This 96-mile wall was built from 1961 to 1989 and separates East and West Berlin and ripped apart families and friends as well as an entire city.

The Construction: From Barbed Wire to Concrete

The Berlin Wall originated out of a short-lived set up of barb wire and fencing only. First barrier was built by the East German government on this date 13th August 1961 in an effort to stop more people from emigrating from East Germany to West Germany since most people preferred the latter. But that which was, at some point, projected to be an improvised barrier developed into a concrete structure over the years with improvements and enhancements made on a regular basis.

In 1965 the barrier was made higher and stronger by expanded use of steel-furniture concrete segments, and thus, became a stiffer barrier. These have had spotlights, alarms, and armed guards in their guard towers during its extension and therefore the border was heavily militarized.

The Length of the Wall

The East Germany built the Berlin wall that covered distance of about 155 kilometers (96miles). It was not a continuous structure but a discontinuous affairs through mere walls, fences and other fortifications. Most of the wall was made of an inner barrier, an outer barrier, and a space known as the ‘death zone.’

H3>Inner Wall

The internal barrier wall was the most tangible, forming an approximately 3.6 meters (12 feet) high rebar reinforced concrete wall. It was surmounted with a smooth pipe which was almost impassable to climbers. Its inner side was directed at East Berlin and was thus a clear visible reminder of the ruling DPS East German government and did all within its might to suppress anyone who intended to escape to the western side.

H3>Outer Wall

The last barrier was the outer wall informally called the Grenzmauer 75: also made of reinforced concrete, it did not reach the height of the inner wall, reaching approximately 3 meters (the average male person). Another danger was an outer wall which was an extra physical barrier for everyone wishing to leave East Berlin.

H3>Death Strip

From the outer and inner walls, space was called the “Death Strip.” All around this area, particular attention was paid to ensure that the prisoners do not attempt to escape at all. It had features like anti-vehicle trenches for cars, guard dog compounds, trips wires and flood lights. The Death Strip was a concrete evidence showing what anybody was likely to encounter out there in the other side of the wall.

Life Along the Wall

In simple terms, wall construction in the Showalter household changed life on both sides of the WalL For the people in front of or behind the wall, day-to-day life was significantly altered. Alang-fill, famolies were separated, ant social groups were divided and elements of basic liberty were restricted. This wall was some effective to contain movement but denied access to resources services, employers and cultural exchanges.

Nevertheless, people act and managed to do things in an attempt to reach one another, as they tried to convey messages. Many people would gather in particular rendezvous points like the “Checkpoint Charlie,” to catch a glimpse their clansmen on the other side of the border. At the same, brave people tried to escape escaping through tunnels, sewers or even using hot air balloons.

The Fall of the Wall: A Symbol of Unity

It is very important to remind that the Berlin Wall was the major shrine of the Cold War dividing East and West for almost twenty-eight years. On the other hand in a quite dramatic switch on November 9, 1989 the wall came down. All these people rapids went to the checkpoints which became extremely crowded with unarmed border guards. And to everyone’s turn, new gates opened and happy moments of meeting and celebrating began.

The event of tearing down of the Berlin Wall was a symbolic turning point that driving Germany towards reunification and the pull down of the cold war. It was inspiring people and started a number of revolutionary movements across the East European countries which determined the fate of the continent.

In Conclusion

The Berlin Wall as the division, which was not only the wall but also the political and economic opinions and fight for liberty. Its construction, which was about 155 kilometers (96miles), was the symbol of a divided nation which was trying hard to ensure that the people of its southern part never reunited with the people of its northern part. The wall no longer exists; however, it marks the testimony of the suffering and shaping of millions of people who lived through the time.

The inner wall was some 3,6 meters high and served as a kind of a main protective layer, it was made of concrete reinforced with steel. It was topped with smooth pipe that was very hard to climb up to the top of. On the interior facing, the wall stood with East Berlin and became a visually asserting sign of the ruling East German government that was discouraging attempts at escape to the west side.

H3>Outer Wall

The last structure was an outer wall, the “Grenzmauer 75,” made of reinforced concrete, but not very high, approximately 3 meters (9.8 ft). This outer wall also provided another physical barrier and a new test to anyone who wanted to flee East Berlin.

H3>Death Strip

The area between the internal and external facades was called ‘Todesstreifen,’ or the death strip. This part of the area was deliberately designed in a way no escape could be attempted. It had elements such as_trap trenches, dog runs, trip wires and several fiber optic floodlights as part of the security measures. The Death Strip was symbolic which informed the possible consequences beginning with crossing the wall.

Life Along the Wall

Sheltered and separated on either side of the wall, the lives of the people for many of the day to day anticipated and planned activities were greatly affected. People were pulled apart from their loved ones, neighbors, acquaintances were reported, and rights such as the freedom of speech, movement, press and assembly were trampled upon. The wall not only served as a physical barrier but it denied people access to facilities, better jobs, and the exchange of cultures.

There were fun ways people overcame challenges and were able to keep in touch with one another. People will be reunifying in places like the “Checkpoint Charlie” to briefly see relatives on the other side. At the same time, courageous people tried to escape from concentration camps in such a way as through the tunnel, successfully crossed the sewers, and used a hot air balloon.

The Fall of the Wall: A Symbol of Unity

The Berlin Wall remained the major icon of the cold war that divided Europe into two parts for nearly thirty years. However, one of the world’s most infamous images turned out to be in existence only till November 9, 1989, when the wall came tumbling down. People started crossing the border at the checkpoints some of them even without passport and this confused the border guard. People leapt from cars, there were hugs and tears, singing and waving of fists as they drove into freedom.

To implement the changes on the ground with regards to reunification of Germany and the collaps of the Cold War period symbol was the fall of the Berlin Wall. It gave the hope and started talk about revolutions in Eastern Europe influencing the destiny of the continent.

In Conclusion

The Berlin Wall was not only a barrier but also a political sign, and the fight between two different political systems. Stretching about 155 Km (96 miles) its construction epitomised the will of a divided nation which aims to keep its population separated. The wall is no longer present but generations of people will remember the horrors it brought to millions of lives.

The second was the so called Grenzmauer 75 which was also a reinforced concrete wall; however it was less high comparing to the inner wall and was approximately 3 meters high. This outer wall provided a new sort of physical barrier to those attempting to flee East Berlin.

H3>Death Strip

The area between the external and internal walls of the building was called ‘Death Strip.’ This part of the building was deliberately planned to allow the prisoners no chance of an attempt to run away. It basic components where such measures as anti-bicycle trenches, guard dog compounds, wires, and an extensive series of floodlights. The Death Strip was a living and concrete representation of the various consequences of attempts at crossing the wall.

Life Along the Wall

Both living in different sides of the wall, the existence of the latter influenced the daily activities. Relatives got estranged, groups got split, and elementary rights got compromised. Thus, the wall act also secluding the Aparthied not only in space but also in terms of resources, job opportunity as well as cultural interaction.

However, due to the limitation, people met certain communication behaviors to overcome some barriers. People’s relatives would assemble at places like what was known as the “Checkpoint Charlie,” to get short glimpses of those on the other side. However, there were hero characters who tried to escape, by means of a tunnel, a sewer or a hot air balloon.

The Fall of the Wall: A Symbol of Unity

The Berlin Wall was a great symbol of the Cold War the East and West for nearly thirty years. However, in a rather interesting move to change events, the wall came collapsing down on November, the 9th of 1989. People from the both sides of the border rushed to the checkpoints to get to the opponent’s territory, stations were filled with border guards. When the gates were opened there were families happily reuniting, people celebrating their victories.

Everybody recalls the fall of the Berlin Wall as symbolizing the reunification of Germany and the restoration of the cold war. It encouraged hope and paved the way to a series of revolutions throughout Eastern Europe exercising influence over the continent’s future.

In Conclusion

Berlin Wall was not only a wall, but also a representation of political and power beliefs and freedom fight. The construction, which covered a distance of about 155 Kilometres (96 miles) represented the spirit of a divided nation determined to ensure its citizens did not meet. It is just a wall no longer there, but its effects in people’s lives are still deeply remembered.

The area between the inner and outer walls was the so called ‘Death Strip.’ This part of the concept was designed with the intention of ensuring that nobody could try to fleе. It had many methods of security measures, it comprised of anti-vehicle trenches, guard dog runs and tripwires, and floodlights. The Death Strip was waking a constant message that there are consequences to attempt to cross the wall.

Life Along the Wall

To the people on each side of the wall, daily life became very difficult if not almost unbearable. People were isolated from their families, their neighbours, and some rights were derogated. The wall not only put into physical terms but also severed communication links to means of production, employment, and social interaction.

People tried to overcome those challenges and have found numerous ways to communicate and stay in touch. It was at these meeting points such as the ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ that families would be able to briefly see each other through the East Germans. However, courageous people tried to escape by felling down through the tunnels, through the sewers, and even using hot air balloons.

The Fall of the Wall: A Symbol of Unity

It took almost three decades for people to experience Berlin wall as a concrete representation of the division between east and west during Cold war. But in an astonishing reversal, it was on November, 9,1989 that the wall itself came down. People in a large number arrived at the checkpoints, and the number of the border guards was insufficient to control them. When the gates were thrown open there were cheers and peoples’ uprooted families were reunited.

The collapse of the Berlin Wall symbolized self-unity of Germany and the East and also the end of Cold War in the world. This gave people hope and encouraged a number of revolutions in Eastern Europe leading to the future of the continent.

In Conclusion

The Berlin Wall was not only a few meters high walls, but represented political systems and liberation. Measuring about 155 kilometers (96 miles), its construction demonstrated the will of a divided country to continue to keep people separated. Sadly, the sights and sounds that were once part of living in front of the wall are no longer existent but the effects of the wall on lives of millions remains in the subconscious today.

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