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 Story of the Berlin Wall: Past and Present

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Original Berlin

Understanding the Historical Significance

Before you start talking about how long the Berlin Wall was, you should know some history. The Berlin wall was a physical barrier built by the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1961 to separate East Berlin, and East Berlin, under Soviet control, from West Berlin (that was occupied by the Western Powers).

The Berlin Wall was a wall that nearly averaged a straight line of around 155 kilometers (96 miles) and was the symbol of the Cold War as well as the division of Germany. It was intended to stop East Germans from fleeing to the West, and was an overwhelmingly symbolic marker of the divide that separates East from West.

The Length of the Original Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was comprised of concrete and barbed wire fencing on top, and it was at its highest 3.6 meters (12 feet) high. It went not only to the main city of Berlin, but also to the German — this one — border. Originally occupying a span of some 43 kilometers (26.7 miles) along West Berlin’s borders, the wall was basically the length of the original wall.

But it’s worth noting that this doesn’t necessarily represent the length of the entire border fortifications, because there were a lot of other barriers as well, the secondary walls, which came up right between the tranches, all the way up to the guard towers.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall: Freedom and Reunification

Until its dramatic fall on November 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall was a powerful Cold War symbol of division that split Europe. This was a critical period in history when for the people of East and West Berlin who were inspired by the aspirations of freedom and reunification joined together to destroy this wall.

When the Berlin Wall came down Germans on both sides took to the streets celebrating, and the reunification of the city’s Germans and their families and old friends had not been seen for decades. It was not just a German event, but if any event best symbolized the end of the Cold War era this was it.

Today, the Berlin Wall: The Remains

Thirty years later, the fall of the Berlin Wall is more than three decades old and only fragments of the wall remain today. Other sections act as reminders of a city full of turbulence, while some are transformed into memorial sites, or outdoor galleries.

This is the East Side Gallery, a 1.3 kilometre (0.8 mile) section of the former Berlin wall, preserved as the most famous preserved section of the Berlin Wall. Over a hundred murals by artists of the world, political and artistic expressions are shown in this open air gallery.

As Other Significant Sites and Memorials

Aside from the East Side Gallery, several other locations in Berlin feature remnants of the Berlin Wall:

Checkpoint Charlie

Once the most famous border crossing between the east and west of Berlin, the border crossing now draws thousands of tourists to remember what used to be Checkpoint Charlie. The replica sign of the checkpoint and small museum give some insight into the history of the Berlin Wall and the events conjured up around it.

Bernauer Strasse

Among the most divided streets was Bernauer Strasse, in the northern part of Berlin. Today it is a memorial with preserved parts of the wall, documentation center and outdoor exhibition on the event of the wall.

The Palace of Tears

The actual border crossing where East Germans tore themselves away from their relatives in the West to head back home, before the opening of the Berlin Wall, was the Palace of Tears — more officially called the Friedrichstrasse Train Station. Now it is a memorial and museum that tells about the emotional farewells happening during the time of division.

In Conclusion

Speakers across the Berlin Wall last week agreed to mourn its former usage, as a symbol of separation, and to remember it now as a symbol of the humanity and resiliance of the Berliners. It is physically shorter, but its historical and cultural legacy is still strong.

Visiting the Berlin Wall is a visit to the past, where we can reflect on what used to be and make better sense of the struggles and accomplishments that have brought about modern Germany.

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