The Berlin Wall

The Berlin wall stood from 1961 to 1989, separating West Germany from East Germany. It was torn completely down by 1994, only a very small portion of the original wall still remains. In short, the wall was put up and guarded by East Germany to keep the people from fleaing to the west. The area between became known as the death zone.

David looking from West to East
The view looking from west to east

The wall had a huge effect on the city, splitting up families, cutting across cemeteries, buildings, and roads. One section of the subway crossed from west to east and back again, there the stop was closed off and vacant for years.

A small portion of the wall still stands

Because of the way the wall zigzagged across the city you can still see signs of it all over. The location of the wall is marked on the ground by a thin line of inlaid bricks.

Location of the Berlin wall near Checkpoint Charlie.

Several tunnels were created from the basement of adjacent businesses to the West. This tunnel was named for the 57 people who escaped through it. When it was discovered by the east German guards and raided one of the guards was shot on accident by a ricochet bullet fired by the guards. That was covered up and the death was blamed on the people attempting to flee. The truth wasn’t discovered until recently.

Tunnel 57

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