Berlin Wall was a concrete wall separating East and West Germany from 1961 to 1989, during Cold War.
The German Democratic Republic (GDR) built it so East Germans couldn’t flee into West Germany.
Today, much of the wall has been torn down but witnesses to its history can be found in several places in Berlin today.
In this blog post, we will look at some of the best places to find the Berlin Wall.
The East Side Gallery
If you want to see the Berlin Wall, the East Side Gallery is a must see.
The wall is a ten kilometer walk starting a 1.3 kilometer long section of the wall (the longest complete section left on the border), where it has been opened as an open air gallery of 120 plus murals by artists from around the world.
This section of the wall is along the Mühlenstraße in Friedrichshain, and is easily accessible via public transportation.
The wall is long enough for just a leisurely stroll and a close look at the vivid artworks and of course its historical significance.
The Berlin Wall Memorial
The Berlin Wall Memorial, also referred to as Sie jejstedie Berliner Mauer, is another place where the history of the Berlin Wall needs to be uncovered.
This memorial site is an educational site with a complete series of parts, including preserved part of the wall, a documentation center and an outdoor exhibition.
The memorial is located at Bernauer Straße in the district of Mitte, and visitors can learn a great deal about the city’s division and the consequences on those who lived there.
The Checkpoint Charlie Museum
If you would like to know more about the events surrounding the Berlin Wall and the people that tried to escape from East Germany, the Checkpoint Charlie Museum is something you really have to see.
Noted at Friedrichstraße, this museum traces out artifacts, stories, and photos about the human stories and battle for busyness in the midst of the Cold War period.
It feels such a touching, emotional thing and gives you a glimpse into the very intense border control and how people had to climb over the Berlin Wall.
The Topography of Terror
The Gestapo and SS headquarters in Berlin has a people’s Bureau Topography of Terror museum situated at the site.
This museum on Nazi persecution and wartime reign of terror puts its emphasis on the history of the Berlin Wall, as well.
This location allows you to observe the remains of the wall and to find out about how it was built, why it was built, what positive effects it had on the lives of Berliners.
To provide a complete picture of German history’s dark period and the long lasting effects that experience has left, the museum exists.
Conclusion
A visit to the Berlin Wall and all the historical sites attached to it makes for a strong way to understand the impact the Cold War division had on the people of the city and the city itself.
Locations you can visit the remains of the wall including East Side Gallery, Berlin Wall memorial, Checkpoint Charlie Museum and Topography of Terror are just some.
You will find a unique perspective of the history and human stories behind this iconic structure at each site.
Here is what you should see when visiting Berlin and getting a full picture of what it was like to live with the Berlin Wall.
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