✈️East Side Gallery – The gallery that colors the Berlin Wall

What's left of the Berlin Wall has become one of the most fascinating open-air galleries in the world, mixing art and history. the East Side Gallery. Discover its history, what to see and the best way to visit this symbol of the Cold War.

The East Side Gallery is the most interesting part of the former Berlin Wall, which was transformed into an open-air art gallery. The perfect union between the most artistic and creative side of the city with one of the monuments to recent history in the world.

This two-kilometer wall sits on the banks of the River Spree, which runs through the entire city, and is the longest stretch of wall left in the German capital. Today it is one of the most important tourist attractions in Berlin.

Every year, 800 people pass by, taking pictures in front of the iconic graffiti that cover the almost 4-meter high wall.

A visit to the East Side Gallery is not only a great opportunity to take pictures of what is left after the fall of the Berlin Wall, but also to be in a place where history was made, witnessing the transformation of the city that was once divided into a of Europe's creative centers.

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In this post you will read:

East Side Gallery History
- the berlin wall
Where is and how to get to East Side Gallery
What to see at the East Side Gallery
Berlin – Travel Guide
hotels in berlin
internet chip in germany
Berlin travel insurance
Berlin car rental
Flights to Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Read all our tips and posts from Germany

East Side Gallery History

The gallery was created in 1989, shortly after the fall of the wall. The German Dave Monty presented his project to the Ministry of Defense of Socialist Germany: his idea was to install works of art on the east side of the Berlin Wall.

Luckily the officials accepted and as of January 1990, 118 artists from 21 countries painted the concrete wall along Mühlenstraße. By virtue of art, this piece of the Berlin Wall was not torn down, and remained a symbol of freedom and unity among the German people.

Unfortunately, over the years, the East Side Gallery has been marred by time and vandalism. In 2009, however, it received heavy investment from the German government and was renovated at several points. This means not only repairing the damaged parts, but also restoring the paintings by the original artists, who left their mark on the wall.

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the berlin wall

Older Germans still remember the fateful August 13, 1961, when the wall appeared overnight on the border between East Berlin and its West side. The Soviets erected the wall in the dead of night, after noticing a “dispatching” of residents to the capitalist side.

After the temporary construction, made with loose bricks and barbed wire, the wall itself was ready. The final product was actually two walls with an empty area between them, known as the “death zone”. Anyone who tried to cross it received capital punishment.

The Berlin Wall divided the city for nearly 29 years and became the symbol of the Cold War, a physical barrier between capitalism and socialism, ideologies that divided the world after World War II. The division of Germany was therefore one of the most dramatic moments of the XNUMXth century.

The fall of the wall likewise represented the beginning of the end for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and for the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the part of the country under socialist rule.

The fall happened almost by chance, on November 9, 1989, when the German socialist politician Günter Schabowski announced the end of visa restrictions between the two Germanys. The crowd understood that the passage would be free – which was not the case – and hastened to tear down the wall.

Over time, only the Federal Republic of Germany remained, the country's official name to this day. Of East Berlin, only museums, pieces of the wall and the Checkpoint Charlie, the East Side Gallery, in addition to a certain nostalgia on the part of the Germans who lived east of the Wall.

Where is and how to get to East Side Gallery

The East Side Gallery is on Mühlenstraße and the wall with the open-air gallery starts at number 78, right after the Pirates Berlin restaurant. On the other side of the wall is the River Spree and the paintings can be seen along the street.

The beginning of the East Side Gallery is 500 meters from Warschauer Strasse train station. As you leave the station, walk towards the Oberbaumbrucke, a historic bridge with two red-brick towers.

To get to the train station, take the U1 or U3 metro, the green lines of the Berlin transport system, or the S3, S5, S7, S9 and S75 train lines.

Other options are buses 300, 347 and M10.

Depending on where you are, it's easiest to start your visit at the end of the wall, closer to the Ostbahnhof train station. This central station only receives trains and buses, but many lines pass there, including regional and international trains.

If you leave the station, take the street Strasse der Pariser Kommune and walk towards Mühlenstraße. In 5 minutes you will be at the wall and in the open air art gallery.

What to see at the East Side Gallery

One of the most famous paintings includes the mural by Dmitri Vrubel. It depicts the brotherly kiss between Leonid Brezhnev (former general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union) and Erich Honecker (former general secretary of the Socialist Unity Party).

Mouth kisses were a normal greeting among communist men back then, but the intensity of this particular kiss has been captured in photos. Soon, the artist decided to immortalize it on the wall. Below is the phrase “Mein Gott hilf mir, diese tödliche Liebe zu überleben”, which means: “My God, help me to survive this fatal love.”

Another popular image found along the wall is the mural by Birgit Kinder, who painted the Trabant car driving through the wall of the wall. This was the most popular car in East Germany and is known to Berliners as the Trabi.

There is also the only image in Portuguese from the East Side Gallery, which shows a hopscotch whose end leads to “Peace” and “Amor”. The art is called “United love will never be defeated” and was made by Portuguese artist Kim Prisu, the pseudonym of artist Joaquim António Gonçalves Borregana.

The East Side Gallery is a stretch of the Berlin Wall that unites history and art. It is not for nothing that it is considered one of the most important points of the German capital.

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Berlin – Travel Guide

The German capital is one of Europe's top destinations. City rich in history, gastronomy and culture with beautiful landscapes and many attractions for all ages. When visiting Berlin, it is worth visiting some of the city's main sights, such as Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust Memorial or the Brandenburg Gate. Check out what to do in Berlin to build your travel itinerary.

Berlin Weather

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hotels in berlin

The Mitte region is where the main hotels in berlin, however, throughout the city you can find comfortable and elegant accommodations. Even close to the East Side Gallery. That's why it's worth researching and booking your accommodation calmly and in advance. That way you avoid possible problems during the trip! ?

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin – Daily rates from € 497 – Note 9,2
Radisson Collection Hotel – Daily rates from € 205 – Note 8,8
KPM Hotel & Residences – Daily rates from € 190 – Note 9,3
Schulz Hotel Berlin – Daily rates from € 105 – Note 8,5

See all hotel options in Berlin.

See also:

Where to stay in Berlin – The best neighborhoods and hotels

internet chip in germany

It's getting easier and cheaper to have unlimited internet throughout your trip in Germany. Nowadays you can buy an international cell phone chip online while you're still here in España. You receive the sim card at your address and then just insert it into your cell phone to reach your destination with unlimited 4G internet working.

Also read more chip tips:

Europe Internet Chip – Which is the best international chip?
Viaje Conectado – Know everything about your travel chips
America Chip – Find out how it works

Berlin travel insurance

Having travel insurance for Berlin is a requirement to enter the city, which is part of the Schengen Treaty and requires medical and hospital coverage of at least €30 for travelers. In addition to being mandatory, insurance is a great way to ensure a smoother trip. Also enjoy our Insurance Promo discount coupon. - SEE PRICES

Read all about travel insurance:

Travel Insurance for Germany – Everything you need to know
Documents to enter Europe – See which ones you need
Travel Insurance Europe – Complete guide on how to hire
Best Travel Insurance Europe – Which one to choose for your trip?
How much does travel insurance for Europe cost?

Berlin car rental

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Flights to Germany

Looking for a good deal and flight prices? When buying tickets to Germany, it is worth taking a look at the website Promo Tickets. It is quite common to find cheaper and better flight options than on other sites. We always use and is it worth it?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to get to East Side Gallery?

The beginning of the East Side Gallery is 500 meters from Warschauer Strasse train station. As you leave the station, walk towards the Oberbaumbrucke, a historic bridge with two red-brick towers. Keep reading…

What is the East Side Gallery?

The East Side Gallery is an open-air art gallery, built under the longest stretch of what remains of the Berlin Wall, merging history with art. It is not for nothing that it is considered one of the most important points of the German capital. Keep reading…

Where to stay in Berlin near the East Side Gallery?

Those looking to stay close to the East Side Gallery in Berlin can stay at Holiday Inn Berlin City East Side or Michelberger Hotel. Both are great stays and with incredible views of the city. Find out more details…

Where to see the remains of the Berlin Wall?

The East Side Gallery is the most interesting part of the former Berlin Wall that has been transformed into an open-air art gallery. It sits on the banks of the River Spree, which runs through the entire city, and is the longest stretch of wall left in the German capital. Keep reading…