Thru the Lens: The Berlin Wall

After WWII, Germany was divided between the Allied forces into what became West Germany and the German Democratic Republic (aka GDR or East Germany). The dividing line went straight through Berlin. When it became clear that the GDR was not going to enjoy the same freedoms as that of their West German counterparts, people began migrating (or defecting) in mass numbers. To counteract the mass migration, the East German government erected a giant concrete wall along the political border in Berlin. Completed in 1961, the Berlin Wall separated families, ideas, the city, and the country.

But the wall came crashing down in 1989, reuniting Berlin and the country.

Today, there are still some sections of the wall standing in various parts of the city. The biggest section (and the most popular with tourists) lies on the border between Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain along the River Spree. Currently, there’s an open air gallery on one side and a photographic exhibition wallonwall.org on the other. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Germany - Berlin - Berlin Wall

The US-Mexico border, part of the wallonwall.org exhibition.

The US-Mexico border, part of the wallonwall.org exhibition.

Germany - Berlin - Berlin Wall

Some recent additions have been made to this painting. This is what it looked like a week ago: sotcblog.com

Germany - Berlin - Berlin Wall

Had to get a photo of me somewhere along the wall 🙂

Germany - Berlin - Berlin Wall

One of the more famous pieces of art on the wall.

Germany - Berlin - Berlin Wall

New construction is popping up along the wall these days.

Germany - Berlin - Berlin Wall

A quiet moment to reflect.

Have you visited the Berlin Wall? What was your impression of the artwork and of the wall itself?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*