Snapshot: The East Side Gallery

Any visit to Berlin would not be completed without a pilgrimage to the Berlin Wall. For 29 years, this cold, hard meandering 155km-long barrier cuts East Germany completely from the West, breaking apart families and lives.

After Germany’s liberation in 1989, efforts have been made to preserve the wall, in memory of the lives lost along this “Wall of Shame”.

The East Side Gallery, a 1.3km stretch of the wall located near the centre of Berlin, at Mühlenstraß, now stands as an international memorial of freedom. With 105 paintings by artists from all over the world, the Gallery may possibly be the largest and longest open air gallery ever. Each of these artistic creations tells a story. Some play tribute to those who were lost in the tumultuous period, while some expressed the emotions felt when freedom was in sight.

The image above is a mark of respect to each of the freedom fighter lost each year the wall was up- a total of 136 lives. For where to visit when you’re in the city, don”t forget to check out my Top Seven Places to visit in Berlin.

Tip: the Gallery gets crowded in the afternoons, if you want an undisturbed time soaking in each painting’s meaning, or taking unobstructed photos, best to go in the mornings.