Hello and welcome to the first and basic guide about GDR Berlin. If you are passionate about history and are a Berlin tour planner or planning a tour to Berlin, then you will surely find many unknown but interesting facts about the city in this one-stop guide. As landmarks and place experiences in the history move, we will discuss everything. Let’s dive in!

1. Introduction to GDR Berlin

The German Democratic Republic, GDR also referred as East Germany was socialist state existed from 1949 to 1990. The country’s capital was Berlin, which during the Cold war period was divided between the east and the west. In today’s Berlin, one can easily stumble upon numerous relics from the days of GDR, so that visitors could know for themselves its history.

2. Key Landmarks and Museums

2.1 Berlin Wall

It was a barrier which divided East Berlin and West Berlin. Nowadays one can witness the relics of the wall and the memorial or visit utilization of the wall sections like The Berlin Wall Memorial, the Brandenburg Gate and the East Side Gallery which hosts artistic murals done by artists of the world.

2.2 DDR Museum

Alternatively, information given through the DDR Museum is more engaging because it provides the possibility to get acquainted with the GDR as close as possible to the experience of living it. See the rooms typical for the small apartments in GDR, try to be interrogated, and have fun with the quiz about GDR history. It is an innovative approach of learning more on what it took and what was obtainable back then.

2.3 Stasi Museum

The Stasi Museum is situated within former headquarters of the Ministry for State Security, the secret police of the GDR. Learn about the Spy system and networks that dominated that period of American history. Much of what the Stasi did is revealed at this museum with various tools and methods being on display.

3. Ampelmann and Trabant

3.1 Ampelmann

Ampelmann represents EastBerlin.The figure now known as the Ampelmann emerged from the East Berlin style of traffic light figures. These traffic light figures shown below were developed in the GDR and are now quite sentimental. There are products with the designs of Ampelmann or you can go shop at the stores that sell products under the famous figure.

3.2 Trabant

The Trabant was one of the most ubiquities auto in the GDR. While the car models most likely are not up to today’s standards, there are still some Trabants seen on the streets of Berlin. If you want to travel like a real GDR citizen the best way is to take a_trabi safari; it a guided tour in a procession of Trabants.

4. Exploring East Berlin

Visit Alexanderplatz the central social space in East Berlin during the existence of the German Democratic Republic. Here guests can also see the well-known Fernsehturm (TV Tower) which is one of the landmarks of GDR architecture. Another striking building nearby is also called Marx-Engels Forum and there are statues of the famous philosophers.

Another sight that can be mentioned is Karl-Marx-Allee – it is unique boulevard decorated by architecture in Stalinist style. It also has something to offer in the form of grand buildings and large straight streets- proof of GDR planning and worth a look.

5. GDR cuisine and Cultural Organizing

The socialist idea that was in the GDR was combined with scarce supplies to mean that its cuisine was quite different. Go with typical German meals, for example Soljanka – a soup or Sauerbraten – a pot roast meat served with red cabbage. Cafes offering usual GDR delicacies, such as the well-known Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake) should also be mentioned here.

In order to learn more about the eccentrics of GDR culture, the Friedrichstadt-Palast is a must-visit, the famous theater of glitzy revue shows. Of course, you can also try the GDR cinema Kino International – they still play movies there, be it mainstream movies or classics.

6. Final Thoughts

The trip to GDR Berlin is interesting and rather valuable for history lovers and tourists. With its unique walking sightseeing, visiting museums and galleries that document histories, admiring the architectural heritage and eating the GDR food, you will learn about the history of the GDR period in Berlin. Make sure to enjoy the beautiful life rich culture and history of the country and be sure to look for the good remnants of the past during your trip. Happy traveling aroud GDR Berlin!