You cannot examine the Berlin Wall without analyzing its most recognizable symbol—the “Berlin Wall Kiss”. The picture shows deep emotional love while East Berlin and the Cold War divide stood as the background. How can you locate this famous historical artifact?
The Story Behind the Berlin Wall Kiss
The structural barrier known as the Berlin Wall delimited Berlin’s two halves into separate areas of East and West Berlin when it rose up in 1979. The imposing concrete barrier served as a physical divider that both separated close relations and demonstrated the deep political differences between the rival systems.
On September 22, 1979, a photograph taken by Peter Leibing captured an unforgettable moment: a passionate kiss between Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker. During celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) Honecker and Brezhnev shared an impromptu passionate kiss.
Discovering the Original Location
This kiss photo of the Berlin Wall appears at exactly the location surrounding the famous Brandenburg Gate. Following the Berlin Wall’s demise in 1989 the original segment faded from public view so current visitors cannot access the exact location that produced this momentous act.
Despite this loss there is still hope. Organizations in Berlin successfully protect historical sites while the city maintains places where you can still find remnants of the Berlin Wall.
Visit the East Side Gallery
To experience a piece of the Berlin Wall’s history alongside its historic impact view the preserved area at East Side Gallery. Situated in Friedrichshain next to the Spree River this outdoor exhibition presents mural artwork painted by various artists from global locations.
A well-known East Side Gallery artwork portrays the Fraternal Kiss between Honecker and Brezhnev making viewers mistake it for the Berlin Wall Kiss. Despite not being completely accurate visitors can nonetheless experience a meaningful tribute to this important historical instant.
Museum of the Wall at Checkpoint Charlie
Seeking detailed knowledge about Berlin Wall history takes a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie’s Museum of the Wall. Physical and historical elements alongside personal narratives describe East Germany’s wall construction at the Museum of the Wall where artifacts and photographs detail the living standards and dramatic stories of wall escapees.
A life-sized copy of the Berlin Wall Kiss stands in the museum beside emblematic chambers based on real life events that depicted city partition.
The Berlin Wall Memorial
Visitors should set aside time to visit the Berlin Wall Memorial which stands in Bernauer Strasse. This memorial lets visitors comprehend how the wall affected local residents during Berlin’s history.
The monument stretches over 1.4 kilometers throughout a space that features a documentation center alongside an outdoor exhibit and saved wall sections. You can explore the damaged wall fragments at this site while viewing the maintained portion of the “death strip” which was a lethal area between walls that protected by observation.
Conclusion
The removal of the “Berlin Wall Kiss” from the original site has not diminished Berlin’s historical attractions about the barrier’s story. At any of Berlin’s three attractions including East Side Gallery or Museum of the Wall at Checkpoint Charlie and Berlin Wall Memorial visitors encounter a memorable experience about Berlin Wall history and worldwide consequences.
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