Places To Explore
Remembering the Wall
1 THE ALLIED MUSEUM CLAYALLEE 135
Located in the centre of the former American sector of West Berlin, the Allied Museum tells the story of the Western powers in Berlin during the Cold War, from the defeat of Germany in 1945 to the final withdrawal of
Allied troops in 1994. The museum, which includes the historic American Outpost Theater and the Nicholson Memorial Library, delves into the conflict between the Allies and the Soviet Union with its permanent exhibition ‘How Enemies Became Friends’, which is split into two parts. The first section explores the occupation of Berlin following the Allied victory in WWII as well as the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949 while the second section examines the Cold War from 1951 onwards, which includes the military confrontations between the East and the West, their respective intelligence services and the process of German reunification. The museum occasionally holds temporary exhibitions and it also has the original white booth used at Checkpoint Charlie on display for the public.
Open Tues-sun, 10am-6pm. Free admission. www.alliiertenmuseum.de/en/home
2 CHECKPOINT CHARLIE FRIEDRICHSTRASSE 43-45
Considered one of the most important historical landmarks in Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie was one of the crossing points between West and East Berlin and the main entry point for foreigners allowed to enter the East. Also known as ‘Checkpoint C’, it was notably the site of the standoff between the troops of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union during the Berlin Crisis of 1961, with tanks lined up on both sides ready for a confrontation. Numerous escape attempts were made at the checkpoint from citizens trying to flee the East, including the one made by 18-year-old Peter Fechter in 1962, who was shot by East German border guards and slowly bled to death in front of witnesses on both sides, symbolising the inhumanity of the Wall. Next door to Checkpoint Charlie is the Mauermuseum, which is perfect for visitors who want to learn more about the inventive methods used by those who tried to escape, ranging from fake travel documents to a mini-submarine and even a hot air balloon!
The Mauermuseum is open Mon-sun, 9am-10pm. Adult tickets €14.50, concessions available. www.mauermuseum.de/en
3 THE BRANDENBURG GATE PARISER PLATZ
Without a doubt, the Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most iconic landmark. For decades, the gate symbolised the division between West and East Germany during the Cold War, and attracted both West Berliners and tourists who climbed the viewing platform near it in order to catch a glimpse into the East. It was at the gate, which was constructed between 1788 and 1791, that President Ronald Reagan famously demanded
“Mr Gorbachev – tear down this wall!” in his speech to West Berliners on 12 June 1987, a speech which could also be heard by those in the East. Around 100,000 people gathered at the gate when it was officially opened on 22 December 1989 and just over a week later, citizens from both sides of the city flocked to the monument to celebrate the new year together. Today, the gate stands as a symbol of peace and unity and although it is one of the most popular – and therefore busy – tourist attractions in the city, it is a must-see for visitors interested in the history of the Wall. It is also worth noting that just a five-minute walk away from the Brandenburg Gate is the Reichstag building, another one of Berlin’s historic buildings, and the site of the German reunification ceremony in 1990.
www.visitberlin.de/en/brandenburg-gate
4 THE STASI MUSEUM RUSCHESTRASSE 103/HAUS 1
The Stasi Museum is a research and memorial centre that explores the role and operations of the German Democratic Republic’s Ministry for State Security. Located inside the former headquarters of the Ministry, the museum has a permanent exhibition on state surveillance and visitors will get to see the original technology and methods used by Stasi operatives to spy on citizens, including bugs and weapons, as well as stories shared by the ordinary people about their lives under observation. Of particular interest is the office of Erich Mielke, the head of the Stasi from 1957 to 1989, which is open to the public and has items on display including Mielke’s red briefcase, in which he kept sensitive intel such as documents on his own boss, Erich Honecker. Large parts of the building remain untouched from the days of the Stasi, including the entire second floor, so visitors will really be stepping back in time.
Open Mon-fri, 10am-6pm, Sat-sun, 11am-6pm. Adult tickets €8, concession available. www.stasimuseum.de/en/enindex.htm
5 THE WALL MUSEUM MÜHLENSTRASSE 78-80
Recently opened in 2016 and located in former East Berlin, the Wall Museum offers a different history of the Wall told by those who were living in Berlin at the time. Cited as the only museum to tell the full history of the Wall and Germany’s reunification, it offers visitors over 100 interactive displays spread across 13 rooms that explore the historical milestones of the Wall and cover a range of topics, including the various escape attempts, the families who were torn apart by the Wall and the reaction to it being ripped down. On display, there is newsreel footage discussing the political situation at the time, alongside interviews with the border guards and even images from the Leipzig demonstrations, the peaceful protests that precipitated the fall of the Wall just weeks later. It also has audio-visual exhibits featuring interviews with some of the key political figures associated with the Wall, including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Hans-dietrich Genscher, the former vicechancellor of West Germany who is widely remembered as a ‘Master of Diplomacy’ for his role in the reunification of Germany. The museum is right next to a long section of the Wall known as the East Side Gallery, the longest open-air gallery in the world, which features some of the most famous Berlin Wall murals.
Open daily, 10am-7pm. Adult tickets €12.50, concessions available. thewallmuseum.com