Reststück der Berliner Mauer

“A scar on the landscape, yet a story of resilience.” That’s how one might describe the Reststück der Berliner Mauer here in Potsdam. The Berlin Wall, as it was known, stood as a stark symbol of Germany’s division for over 28 years. From August 13, 1961, to November 9, 1989, it cruelly separated families, friends, and a city. The Reststück der Berliner Mauer serves as a poignant reminder of this era. Here in Potsdam, the wall didn’t just divide Berlin. It encircled West Berlin, cutting it off from the surrounding areas, including Potsdam, which was part of the DDR district. The wall often stood several meters behind the actual border, a subtle yet significant detail. The Reststück der Berliner Mauer isn’t about the inner German border between East and West Germany. It’s specifically about this section of the wall in Potsdam. The Reststück der Berliner Mauer stands as a testament to the harsh realities of the Cold War. An exhibition along the former border strip between Glienicker Brücke and Bertinistraße sheds light on life in the divided city. The exhibition delves into the very structure of the barrier. It explores everyday life in the border region, raising questions about who could live by the Jungfernsee, and the handling of expropriated Jewish properties before and after reunification. The Reststück der Berliner Mauer offers a glimpse into the past. Here at the former border crossing Nedlitz, ships navigated between East and West Germany, even West Berlin. Unlike other crossings, many remnants of the division remain here. You can still see the control tower, parts of the pontoon barriers, the diesel hall, guard buildings, and even the hedges, lamps, and concrete posts of the border fences. These relics at the Reststück der Berliner Mauer have been preserved. They provide a powerful, tangible link to the past. After the wall came down in the early 1990s, much of the border area was transformed. The once-forbidding zone between Glienicker Brücke and the Nedlitz crossing became one of Potsdam’s most beautiful areas. Ironically, a final piece of the wall was removed as late as 2011. The exhibition, based on extensive research, uses photos, maps, and firsthand accounts to reconstruct this vanished border. The Reststück der Berliner Mauer invites you to reflect on this turbulent period.