Berlin is a wonderful city known for its history, and of course, everyone wants to turn the page of history which is called Cold War. For a history aficionado or for someone who is interesting in knowing this period of high importance, a bike tour of Berlin is a convenient way of seeing the leftovers of the Cold war. Still, in this article, we will help you to determine some important places to visit and to introduce you to some facts connected with Cold War. Let the story tell you: Before you starts to explore, there is a wonderful chance for you, to travel through time!
Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was one of the best known border posts between East and West during the Cold War period. This one was the border between the American and Soviet sectors of the city. At present, there is an exact copy of the guardhouse that was once built there, and a sign showing where the border was located before. One must pay a visit at this checkpoint known as the Checkpoint Charlie so as to gain an insight of how life was during this period.
The Berlin Wall Memorial
Of course the Berlin Wall Memorial is a must-see on any Berlin tour. This website focuses on the History of the Wall, people affected by the Wall and the German Reunification. Wander around the open-air museum, where visitors can observe fragments of the wall, watchtowers and a museum full of live information about the life experience of a society in totalitarian states.
East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is an open air gallery side set on the remaining structure of the Berlin Wall. Many artists from all over the world collaborated on painting murals on the eastern side of the wall as soon as the barrier was knocked down. Take a walk through the gallery and view the lively and stimulating art and acquire the background of each artwork.
Teufelsberg Listening Station
The prospect of a Cold War enthusiast visiting what is naturally a somewhat inscrutable Teufelsberg Listening Station is that many of the concrete bunkers and structures are built on an artificial hill, thereby giving visitors a bird’s eye view of the attraction. It was first constructed to be a Listening Station in an effort to tap into messages from the Eastern Bloc, was then relinquished and is now an enchanting/gripping tourist site. There is a chance to follow the stairs up to the listening station and to admire the view of Berlin considering the espionage activities in this period.
Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park
Visit Treptower Park and show you some respect to the Soviet soldiers who died while liberating Berlin. This sight is dedicated to the memory of Soviet soldiers who died during the Battle of Berlin. Watch the massive statue of a Soviet soldier and the well-maintained park of the prohibited monument, and be amazed at the sight . There it is important to be silent for some time and recall the losses of World War II and the consequences of the war for Berlin.
Suggested for your Cold War Bike Tour
This means that you must plan for your day or your time around the city and then you will be able to highlight where you want to go.
It is preferable to arrange for a guided bike tour where you can have a local person who will explain to you more historical information.
You should dress in comfortable clothes and it would also be good to carry along your bottled water and other forms of food supplements to save time running to the food counter.
Don’t forget your camera! If you prefer generic snaps or those perfect tableaus, then you will have no shortage of photo ops.
Spend as much time as you need at each place and read the information signs, try to get completely engulfed in the setting.
Find out more about general bike safety rules and local provisions for the use of bicycles in Berlin beforehand.
Conclusion
Tackling Cold War leftovers via bikes in Berlin is an unforgettable experience. Even simple places like Checkpoint Charlie or the now demolished yet well preserved Berlin Wall are completely different from the more historical Berlin Wall at the Berlin Wall Memorial or the colorful graffiti art of the East Side Gallery. Do not lose sight of the fact, however, that many people lived through a time of tremendous upheaval as told in these stories of survival. Basically, whether you are a history freak or just some casual observer fascinated by the cold war history, you will go out with some immensely influential knowledge about the cold war period and its effects on Berlin and the entire world.