The largest piece of the Berlin wall outside of Germany, including a guard tower, is permanently installed in an exhibit explaining how a free press was a key contributor to the fall of the wall and the beginning of Democracy in East Germany. There are eight 12-foot-high concrete sections of wall.
Can you tell which side faced East and West Berlin?
One of the actual towers that was used to guard the Berlin Wall was moved to the Newseum to remind us of the price of freedom. This was known as the Death Tower. East Berliners trying to escape to West Berlin were shot and killed by guards in this tower and others like it that surrounded Berlin. This was one amazing piece of recent history to be able to see up close.
The movie, Bridge of Spies, brought this piece of history to life brilliantly.
Nope. I can not tell which side faced east or west because I don’t know squat about politics. But seriously interesting and I wish I were the type of person who could answer that question because the difference is quite stark!
The graffitti’d side is West. We were in Berlin a few years ago – such a fabulous city. So weird to think how recently the wall still stood.
Thanks for sharing and hosting 🙂
Must have been an amazing visit, thanks for sharing!
My guess is that the light would be facing East to look for people trying to escape(?)
– Lisa
How powerful that must have been to see in person. One of my eighth grade teachers escaped East Berlin as a young woman. It was unreal to hear her tell the story.
I’ve been up close & personal with the real thing and it was not pleasant
Such an amazing piece of history! Thanks for sharing this with us all.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
This is a horrible (and timely) reminder to me.
Such a terrifying part of history, amazing they built the wall in Washington, sounds like a great place to tour.
Interesting post. I remember the day the wall came down. Enjoy your Wednesday.
We don’t need these walls, and hopefully your pictures will remind people how horrible things were and learn from it.
we have one piece from Berlin Wall here at the UN HQ as well
I had no idea part of the Berlin Wall was in DC. That’s pretty interesting…
Such a powerful piece of history.
That would be a humbling site to visit.
Sarah
I have seen the movie Bridge of Spies and I think it was a masterpiece. Would definitely love to visit this exhibit which is a reminder of a great but dark past.
Very fascinating information. I will have to watch Bridge of Spies again since it was such a good movie.