Berlin Wall Memorial

Berlin Top 6 in Can't Miss Attractions

Berlin is a unique and vibrant city, unparalleled with preserved reminders from history. Every inch of East Berlin feels dedicated to the story of the people, from monuments commemorating feats of courage and tragedy, to museums dedicated to the city's art movements. A truly revolutionary spirit runs through this city. It was a privilege to visit. I love cold war history and my visit to the wall still sticks in my mind.

If you really want a picture of what it was like living with the Berlin Wall, this is the place to go. It's free, it's real and has both indoor and outdoor sections. The stories are written and in some cases have audio components. It's definitely a place I've gone more than once as there are so many different ways you can experience it: from just walking through, to reading every plaque to picturing yourself in someone's shoes. Really impacting and worth your time.

Take a walk along Bernauerstraße following pieces of the original wall and sculptures marking out it’s place and feel history seep over you as you pass the ‘no mans land’ area. Historic photographs blown up onto the sides of buildings, information plaques and memorials will inform you of the people who lost their homes to the wall construction and those who perished trying to cross the wall. Less busy and touristy than other wall sights.

The Fall of Berlin Wall was celebrated by people around the world. It's been ever since a reminder to keep open the communications, care about the community and share a common goal. The reminders is also to never forget, to avoid another wall erected in Germany. The Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial) consists of the Memorial to the Victims of the Wall, a Documentation Centre and the Chapel of Reconciliation. The best part is the surviving section of the wall and watchtower, where you can get a real experience of how the border worked and how difficult it was to actually cross it.

An impressive documentation centre stands at a famous location of the Berlin Wall - it was here that the Wall was built incorporating apartment buildings on Bernauer Straße (you may have seen the dramatic video of the woman leaping from a window to escape). Across the street from the documentation centre is a remaining stretch of the Wall which, if you climb to the top of the centre, you can see over to the reconstructed no-man's land. The area between the centre and Brunnenstraße to the east is also being developed with an open air exhibition and history of the wall and the history of Bernauer Straße. A must visit for everyone. And it's free!