The Berlin wall construction started in 1961 and its destruction didn’t begin until 1989. That 28 years the wall divided the city. The Wall’s story started in the 1950s when East Germany like many others in the Soviet-controlled Eastern Bloc began to make laws and think of ways of restricting emigration. Soon after the inner German border between east and west was closed. The border between eastern and western sections in Berlin remained open although somewhat restricted. This made Berlin a magnet for young educated people escaping to the west. So in 1961, the Berlin Wall began.

(Pictuered) Cherry Trees along the Berlin Wall Trail “Mauerweg”

At midnight on Saturday the 12th of August 1961 the East German army and police started to close the border and by the following Sunday morning, the border with West Berlin was closed. It started with tearing up streets, and erecting Barb Wire fences and other barriers and continually was improved upon until the famous version of the Berlin Wall still visible today. However, it is never that black and white. 

The fact is that the wall was 156km and had various parts. Some were built upon previous property borders where walls were already in place and simply fortified or made bigger. Others just used the existing sides of buildings. Most of the wall has thankfully been torn down, but places and remnants of it still exist. Also, much of the city infostructure that was built during the seperation is still here. 

To get a first-hand look and the full history of the Berlin Wall book a Behind the Berlin Wall and Cold War Tour with one of our professional guides. To find out the best places in Berlin to see Berlin Wall Remnants… keep reading below,