10 Important Facts To Know About Germany’s Berlin Wall
Germany’s Berlin Wall, once over 90 miles long originally stood as both a physical and ideological barrier between communist East and democratic West Germany. This famous landmark, once a symbol of communist oppression today stands as a beacon of peace and freedom, covered in artwork which echoes these messages. On a recent trip to Berlin, I was able to visit the wall myself, and learn more about the Soviet occupation of Germany. Before you head to this famous site, here are 10 great facts to know!
1. The Berlin Wall
In its entirety, the Berlin Wall was over 96.3 miles long and stood over 11 feet tall.
2. Construction
The construction of this massive barrier between East and West Berlin began on August 13, 1961, when Berliners awoke to a barbed wire fence separating the city. This barrier would later be fortified with concrete as well as over 300 watchtowers and 20 bunkers.
3. East versus West
The wall was built to separate communist East Germany (controlled by the Soviet Union) from the capitalist West Germany (an area controlled by France, Britain, and the United States of America).
4. Checkpoint Charlie
While the construction of the Berlin Wall made it nearly impossible for East Berliners to cross into West Berlin, it was possible for those living in West Berlin to obtain a visa or permit to visit East Berlin. For this reason, several checkpoints were established, the most famous of which is the American “Checkpoint C” or “Checkpoint Charlie.” You can visit a recreation of this checkpoint today.
5. Escape Attempts
Over 100 people died while attempting to cross the Berlin Wall, and it is estimated that around 5,000 escape attempts were successful. Some methods of escape include tunneling, hot air balloons, jumping, aerial wires, and being smuggled back in vehicles to West Berlin.
6. Presidential Dissent
The Berlin Wall played a crucial part in the hostilities between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, as it stood as a physical, concrete barrier between communism and the free world. Just 22 months after the Berlin Wall was constructed, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed “Ich bin ein Berliner!”, or I am a Berliner, expressing his anti-wall sentiments. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan boldly declared “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!” demonstrating to the world that the Berlin Wall was unacceptable.
7. Concerts
Presidents weren’t the only public figures rallying against the Berlin Wall. Musicians such as David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen held concerts which aimed to spread messages of peace. David Bowie’s 1987 concert was held on the west side of Berlin near the wall, while Bruce Springsteen performed in East Berlin just 18 months before the fall of the wall.
8. Demolition
On November 9th, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. However, the wall’s actual deconstruction did not take place until 1990. Slowly border restrictions were lifted, until Germany was officially reunited.
9. The Berlin Wall Today
The most substantial portion of the wall that still exists in Berlin today is known as the East Side Gallery. This section of the wall runs for nearly 1 mile and receives over 3 million visitors each year.
10. Famous Works
This landmark to peace is now an open air gallery, featuring over 100 paintings by various artists from around the world, originally painted in 1990 to celebrate the fall of the wall. One of the most well known works is“God help me to survive this deadly love affair” by Dmitri Vrubel. The image, based on an actual photograph of Soviet leaders Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker depicts the pair in a “fraternal kiss,” emphasizing East Germany’s ties to communism.
I had a fantastic visit to this historic site, and enjoyed learning more about Berlin’s communist history at the DDR Museum afterwards. I highly recommend both a visit to the wall and thisan interactive museum if you are in Berlin.
Which of these facts was most fascinating to you?
