There are many philosophies associated with the culture of Germany: division and reunification, freedom, escape, and literally a wall that divides Germany into two regions. Erected in 1961 and stretching 96 miles, it divided two cities and two halves of Germany, families, friends, and even a nation for 28 years. If you want to learn about this chaotic period of history today, you can not only visit the Berlin Wall, but it is also very advisable to do so. Find out how you can go through the history and experience the Berlin Wall firsthand.
1. Berlin Wall Locations
Berlin Wall was at first a wall separating West Berlin from East Germany with the structure enclosing the former. In its early years, the wall was expanded and modified in a number of ways on several occasions. Today, several locations offer visitors a chance to experience the remnants of the Berlin Wall:
East Side Gallery: This open-air gallery runs for 1.3 kilometres along the remaining part of the wall. Thus, local and foreign artists have painted murals and artworks with different hues to celebrate the demolition of the wall.
Checkpoint Charlie: This border was once an important checkpoint for movement between two parts, the East and West Berlin. Today at precisely at the location where the guardhouse has been built, there is a fully-realized copy of the guardhouse with other information points located around it.
Berlin Wall Memorial: This memorial site is sited along Bernauer Strasse and includes a preserved piece of the wall and a Documentation Centre.
- Exploring the Berlin Wall
When visiting the Berlin Wall, you have various options for exploration:
Guided Tours
Starting a guided tour can help improve the visitor’s experience especially when it comes to the history of the Berlin Wall. Professional tour guides have first-hand insight as they take visitors through the buildings giving detailed informative history of the buildings and or telling us their own stories about the place in particular.
Self-Guided Tours
For those who like an unmolested travel, self-guided tours can be highly recommended. Once you have a good map, and at least a fair idea of where along the wall some of these historical sites are, you are free to make your own way around with no guides to rush you on, or use poleMISSING altogether. There are numerous signs and wall posters in many sites giving history along the walk.
3. Remembering the History
When you are at the Berlin Wall site, be sure to honor those who suffered during such time. Keep in mind the significance of this historical site:
Read, Learn, and Reflect
If you want to fully appreciate the significance of the wall as a symbol, has always managed to read up on the history of the Berlin Wall before arriving. Perform a book analysis, watch documentaries, and must read few articles and case studies at least to know how the affected people felt.
Observe Silence and Respect
Of course, when in the memorial sites, keep appropriate behaviour. The Berlin Wall remains culturally provoking so do not forget to check the sad mood and think about the number of lives lost.
4. After Your Visit
The feelings one gets when visiting the place of the Berlin Wall can create a definite impression. After experiencing the wall, consider the following actions:
Share Your Experience
Post on social media and or irds and family, Let them know you stopped by. Informing people about the historical significance of the Berlin Wall helps others follow in this path and learn about this period on their own.
Promote Deputy Minister’s Executive Council proposals relating to education
Perhaps it is worthwhile to contribute to causes that fund and support the reminder and the study of the Berlin Wall. That way you can also help in the financially supporting of knowledge dissemination which is important in remembering and learning from this historical occurrence.
The Berlin Wall is a rare chance to get firsthand information and learn more about a certain period of history in an up-close manner. So it is vital to remember the survivors’ experiences and pay tribute to them in order to remind people of the history’s outcomes.