The Fall of the Berlin Wall, 35 Years On
9th November 1989 marked the end of almost three decades of a divided Germany as the Berlin Wall came down, inspiring spontaneous celebrations. 35 years on, join Berliners in reliving this historic milestone through immersive events and thought-provoking exhibitions.
While anniversary ceremonies take place on 9th November, dedicated Berlin Wall exhibits run all year. Iconic sites such as Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie give a poignant glimpse into Berlin’s complex past and can provide an important educational perspective for children, particularly teenagers who may be studying the topic at school.
Life beyond the Wall
Introduce your family to a different side of history in an active way with a guided bike tour tracing 15km of the structure, taking in sites of Berlin Wall history, including the place on Bornholmer Strasse where the Wall fell. Pass border crossings, guard towers, and remnants of the Wall, as your guide recounts incredible stories of dramatic freedom attempts.
The Berlin Wall Foundation offers workshops designed for children and families, as well as permanent exhibitions. Learn about underground escape routes at Border Stations and Ghost Stations in Divided Berlin, or visit the DDR Museum to experience daily life in East Germany. Explore room reconstructions from the 1970s and sit in the driver’s seat of a Trabant, the East German car that became the object of mockery following the fall of the Wall.
Germany’s history can be a complex topic to navigate for little ones, but children aged four and over can explore the Humboldt-Forum’s Blown Away: The Palace of the Republic in an age-appropriate way. This important look at Berlin’s experience of oppression, freedom, and transformation offers mini historians a booklet with simple explanations and creative tasks, alongside a souvenir box to take home.
Wall art
The colourful and poignant murals that adorn sections of the Wall create a slightly brighter way for children to understand historical events in a more easily digestible form. Before it fell, the Wall itself was a canvas, with French muralist Thierry Noir paving the way for an urban art movement that would become a powerful form of expression. Some of Noir’s work is preserved at the East Side Gallery, a mile-long open-air gallery along the bank of the River Spree. Other must-see murals include Dimitriji Vrubel’s ‘Fraternal Kiss’ and Birgit Kinder’s tribute to East Germany’s ubiquitous Trabant. Come 9th November, the former route of the Wall will be lined with thousands of banners, signs and posters made by people of all ages from across the world.
The Wall continues to symbolise Berlin’s identity as a hub of artistic courage and resilience. Beyond this year’s dedicated events, take time to visit some of the city’s many galleries and museums, housing personal narratives in buildings that have seen the city evolve.
Enjoy Berlin as an ever-evolving place of exploration, with Hotel de Rome as your base. For assistance organising a tour or exhibition visit, please contact our dedicated concierge team.
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