The Berlin Wall Memorial is a historical site that commemorates the division of Berlin by the Berlin Wall and the deaths that occurred there. It is located on Bernauer Straße, where many dramatic escapes took place in August 1961. The memorial consists of four areas: a preserved section of the wall with border strip and watchtower, a documentation centre with an observation tower, a chapel of reconciliation, and a window of remembrance.
The Berlin Wall Memorial is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm. The documentation centre and the chapel of reconciliation are open from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays). Admission is free for all visitors. Guided tours and seminars are available for schools and groups upon request.
To get to the Berlin Wall Memorial, you can take the U-Bahn line U8 to Bernauer Straße station or the S-Bahn lines S1, S2, or S25 to Nordbahnhof station. You can also take the bus lines 247 or M10 to Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer stop.
Some tips for visiting the Berlin Wall Memorial are:
- Start your visit at the visitor centre on the corner of Gartenstraße and Bernauer Straße, where you can get an overview of the history and the exhibition.
- Watch the film «It happened at the wall» at the documentation centre, which shows original footage of the construction and fall of the wall.
- Climb up the observation tower at the documentation centre and enjoy a panoramic view of the former border area.
- Visit the chapel of reconciliation and join a service or a prayer for peace.
- Pay respect to the victims of the wall at the window of remembrance, where their names and photos are displayed.
The Berlin Wall Memorial is a place of remembrance and learning that offers a moving insight into the division of Berlin and its consequences. It is also a symbol of hope and reconciliation for a peaceful future.
Prohibitions: Visitors are not allowed to enter or touch the original wall section or any other historical relics. Visitors are also not allowed to take photos or videos inside the documentation centre or the chapel of reconciliation. Smoking, eating, drinking, and littering are forbidden on the memorial grounds.
