Even if you are going to plan your trip to the city of Berlin, there is one place you are MUST visit – the Berlin Wall. Visiting this place is worthy in the meaning of knowing history; it is closely connected with Germany’s history and is a symbol of that time. In this article, you’ll find out more about Berlin Wall and some practical advice for tourists.
1. East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is one of the most toursistic sector of the Berlin wall known all around the world and very easy to reach. Going for 1.3 km alongside the Spree River with more than 100 murals painted in a range of bright colours, it is the longest open-air gallery in the world. Mentioning the great power of art, people from all over the seven continents united to turn this once a dividing wall into the emblem of freedom.
2. Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was actually one of the most famous observation post is East and west Berlin that was erected during the period of the cold war. Originally it became an open area and currently it has developed into one of the prominent tourist destination. Read more about this checkpoint’s history at the Checkpoint Charlie Museum located within the vicinity.
3. Berlin Wall Memorial
The first site, The Berlin Wall Memorial is a kind of memorial that helps visitors develop a somber attitude towards the issue and provides vast information about the wall. Near the Bernauer Strasse one can find preserved segment of the wall with grateful guests, visitor center with the exhibitions, as well as the documentation center. The memorial assists people with making tribute to the lives lost and offers numerous materials for learning.
4. Topography of Terror
The Topography of Terror is an open air and indoor museum showing the history of the Third Reich and division of Berlin. This isn’t strictly about the Berlin Wall but it does give some good background and information on the construction of the wall and its effects on Berlin.
5. Mauerpark
Namely today’s popular Mauerpark located in Prenzlauer Berg was the part of the “death strip”, dividing East and West Berlin. Today, it became an actual park with a rather active flea market on Sundays. Of course here You cannot see it anymore, however there is a park devoted to the wall and the nearby Berlin Wall Memorial.
6. The documentation center of the Berlin wall is located at Bernauerstraße, precisely, the section behind the barb wire sawed off by the government from East Berlin.
The Berlin Wall Documentation Center located next to the Brandenburg Gate supplies a lot of information on the wall and its background. Thus, it is easy to use added features containingresentations, interactive installations which can help the visitor to open such significant information as the process of construction, division of the city and influence on Berliners.
7. Other Remnants
While most of the first Berlin Wall was torn down soon after the wall came down in 1989 new sections can can still be found around the city. These are simply cultures converted to serve as reminders of that past; they usually come with comprehension plates. Some of these surviving features are well worth looking for when touring around Berlin.
The following is information on surviving a trip to the Berlin Wall such as, free walking Berlin tour map.
Carry comfortable shoes because you will be moving from one part of the wall to the other physically.
In particular, it can be interesting to enlist a guide in order to better understand and capture the meaning of the division and the actual existence of the Berlin Wall.
Visit early in the day in order to prepare yourself for large crowds and less time to discover.
Again, be sure to spend some time to read the message boards and plaque that contain timelines and narration of events of the wall.
There are many centers or museums where visitors can get deeper information on the construction of the Berlin Wall.
Site must also be respected for what it represents in history. However, do not try to paint anything on the remaining parts of the wall because this will result to more painting on the entire house.
Visiting the Berlin Wall is a one of the kind chance to get to know an essential piece of history. Take advantage of the site’s layout and read information about the stories behind the wall and the history of people in Berlin. Bear in mind that the Berlin Wall is a union symbol and that you should not forget the hundreds of opportunities freedom provides to overcome the divisions.
