Berlin Wall Graveyard
On 13 August 1961, construction stared on a wall to divide West Berlin from East Berlin and West Germany from the GDR (German Democratic Republic)
Before the Wall, approximately 3.5 million East Germans defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin. Between 1961 and 1989, the wall prevented almost all such emigration. In this time, around 5,000 people attempted to escape over the wall, with an estimated death toll of over 100 in and around Berlin.
The Berlin Wall was more than 87 miles long. In June 1962, a second, parallel fence some 100 metres farther into East German territory was built. The houses between the fences were razed and the inhabitants relocated, establishing the Death Strip. The Death Strip was covered with raked sand or gravel, rendering footprints easy to notice and enabling the guards to see in all directions with a clear field of fire.
November 9th 1989 is recognised as the date of the fall of the Berlin Wall, official demolition of it didn't start until June 13th 1990. Between November 9th and June 13th, border controls still existed, although were less strict that previously. Parts of the wall were chipped away by Germans to keep as souvenirs/sell on eBay. People who did this were known as "wall woodpeckers" (Mauerspechte) some parts of the wall had been taken down but only to make way for more crossing points. All border controls ended on July 1st 1990 and Germany was recognised as one country again from October 3rd 1990.
Parts of the wall still remain in place as part of the East Side Gallery, a lot of sections were sold abroad, and there is a section outside the Imperial War Museum in London. This graveyard is just outside of Berlin and all of the sections are numbered, possibly for future sales?
Before the Wall, approximately 3.5 million East Germans defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin. Between 1961 and 1989, the wall prevented almost all such emigration. In this time, around 5,000 people attempted to escape over the wall, with an estimated death toll of over 100 in and around Berlin.
The Berlin Wall was more than 87 miles long. In June 1962, a second, parallel fence some 100 metres farther into East German territory was built. The houses between the fences were razed and the inhabitants relocated, establishing the Death Strip. The Death Strip was covered with raked sand or gravel, rendering footprints easy to notice and enabling the guards to see in all directions with a clear field of fire.
November 9th 1989 is recognised as the date of the fall of the Berlin Wall, official demolition of it didn't start until June 13th 1990. Between November 9th and June 13th, border controls still existed, although were less strict that previously. Parts of the wall were chipped away by Germans to keep as souvenirs/sell on eBay. People who did this were known as "wall woodpeckers" (Mauerspechte) some parts of the wall had been taken down but only to make way for more crossing points. All border controls ended on July 1st 1990 and Germany was recognised as one country again from October 3rd 1990.
Parts of the wall still remain in place as part of the East Side Gallery, a lot of sections were sold abroad, and there is a section outside the Imperial War Museum in London. This graveyard is just outside of Berlin and all of the sections are numbered, possibly for future sales?
