By Richard Irwin, Staff Writer

The history comes to life when you ask Berliners about it. Many remember vividly the day the gates between the divided city opened on Nov. 9, 1989. Burkhard Kieker, chief executive of VisitBerlin, still recalls that day.

“When I heard the gates had been opened, I rushed to a entry point,” Kieker remembered. “The East Germans stood in front of the open gate, afraid to cross, in case it was a trick. They looked at a border guard who was yelling into a telephone. Finally, the guard looked at the people with disgust on his face and waved them through.”

The young journalist later saw a British armored car pull up. “A British general got out and when he saw the people passing peacefully back and forth, tears began rolling down his face,” Kieker said.

The reunification had begun. In some ways, it made Berlin better.
“Now we have two of everything, since Berlin was also the capital of East Germany,” Kieker explained.

Long a center of German culture, Berlin offers 180 museums, 440 galleries, three opera houses and 10 orchestras.

For more information, visit www.visitBerlin.com

By Richard Irwin, Staff Writer

The rise of communism can be seen everywhere in Berlin, a city divided by two ideologies after World War II. A double line of bricks down the boulevard marks the location of the dreaded Berlin wall.

The wall was constructed by East Germany as an “Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart.” Today, most of the wall has disappeared, leaving only memories for those old enough to remember it.

The largest remaining section, in fact, has become a public art display. Called the East Side Gallery, the wall is covered by 105 paintings by artists from all over the world.

But to get a real feeling for this Iron Curtain, visit the Berlin Wall Memorial; it was established in 1998 “in memory of the city’s division from 13 August 1961 to 9 November 1989 and of the victims of communist tyranny.” It preserves 60 yards of the former “no man’s land” as a physical reminder of the wall.

One can also imagine the courage it would take to cross this dead zone, where guards in nearby watch towers waited to arrest and shoot anyone attempting to escape to the West.

The documentation center is also part of the Berlin Wall Memorial, offering the history behind the building of the wall. Visitors can climb the observation tower to see part of the original border.

For more information, visit www.visitBerlin.com

By Richard Irwin, Staff Writer

Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city still has secrets. Some are sweet. Some are sad. But they combine to make this great city a growing destination spot.

And so I found myself constantly surprised during a visit to Berlin. Surprised at the livability of this great city. Surprised at the affordability of Germany’s capital. Surprised at the rebirth of this once divided metropolis.

In many ways, Berlin still has a split personality. The center of Germany’s government, it is also home to street art and performances. There’s a dichotomy of spirit here.

A simple walk down a side street will graphically display this dual character. Instead of tearing down its old buildings, Berlin has chosen to restore them.
But right beside a beautifully restored building, a trashed hulk will rise, windowless and covered in graffiti.
Some call it street art, others urban redevelopment.

Wherever you go, it seems there’s a beautiful park just around the corner. Berlin is home to 2,500 public green spaces, making up a third of the city.
Once the hunting grounds of the royal family, the Tiergarten is a wonderful park in the very heart of Berlin. Strolling through the grounds is a delight on a summer day.

For more information, visit www.visitBerlin.com