The East Side Gallery in Berlin is the longest section of the Berlin Wall still standing, covered with paintings and murals.
The History of the East Side Gallery
After the wall fell in 1989, hundreds of artists from all over the world, among them Keith Haring, came to Berlin to transform the grim and gray wall into a piece of art. They covered the east side of the former border, which had been untouchable up to then, with more than 100 paintings.
The murals reflect the turbulent German history, and many bear the slogans of peace and hope. One of the most iconic paintings is "Der Bruderkuss" by Dmitri Vrubel, which shows the fraternal kiss between former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German Prime Minister Eric Honecker.
The Restoration of the East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is the largest open-air gallery in the world and an international memorial of freedom. Unfortunately, big sections of the wall have been damaged by erosion, graffiti, and trophy hunters, who chip off little pieces to bring home as a souvenir.
Right in time for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 2009, these paintings are being restored and preserved.
East Side Gallery - Tips For your Visit
Start your tour of the East Side Gallery at "Ostbahnhof" (Eastern Train Station); walk alongside the wall until you reach the bridge „Oberbaumbrücke“; you find a souvenir shop here, as well as the next subway station.
Address: Mühlenstrasse 45-80, Berlin - Kreuzberg
Getting There: Metro Stop "Ostbahnhof" (line S5, S7, S9, S75)
Cost: Free
Check out More Free Things to Do in Berlin.
