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Regierungsvierte in Berlin in Mitte, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
 

Die Berliner Mauer - The Berlin Wall

 
 
Die Berliner Mauer - The Berlin Wall Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 27, 2025
1. Die Berliner Mauer - The Berlin Wall Marker
Inscription.  
Der Fall der Berliner Mauer am 9. November 1989 war ein historisches Ereignis und ebnete den Weg zur Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands. Dieses Grundstück lag bis 1989 im Ostteil Berlins. Hier eröffnete am 1. August 1987 die DDR-Regierung das Grand Hotel Berlin, das heutige The Westin Grand Berlin. Ein Vorzeigehotel mit allem Pomp und Luxus. Als Devisenbringer gebaut, war es bis zum Fall der Mauer nur gegen harte D-Mark oder US-Dollar buchbar und unterstand direkt dem Staatssekretär im Außenhandelsministerium Alexander Schalck-Golodkowski. Seit Juli 1997 gehört es zu den amerikanischen Westin Hotels & Resorts, heute eine Marke des globalen Marriott-Konzerns.

Um dem Standort des Hotels und der Geschichte der Stadt Rechnung zu tragen, erwarb das Westin Grand Berlin ein eigenes Stück Original Berliner Mauer mit der Idee, seinen Gästen ein Stück Geschichte zum Anfassen und Interagieren zu präsentieren. Wer das hoteleigene Mauer- Arrangement bucht, darf Hammer und Meißel zur Hand nehmen und sich ein eigenes Stück Geschichte herausmeißeln, wie einst die berühmten Mauerspechte im Winter 1989/1990.

Seit 9. Januar
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2009 steht das Mauersegment vor dem Westin Grand, das bis 1989 Bestandteil der Berliner Mauer zwischen dem Berliner Bezirk Zehlendorf und dem Brandenburger Ort Teltow war. Bei seiner Aufstellung war es 1,00 m breit; 3,70 m hoch und wog 2,7 t. An die 8000 Hotel- Mauerspechte aus aller Welt haben inzwischen mit Werkzeug und Schutzbrille bewaffnet Hand angelegt, 300 Kilo Mauer wegmeißelt und als Berlin-Souvenir in die Welt hinausgetragen.


The fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago not only paved the way for the reunification of Germany, but also symbolically marked the end of the Communist system of rule in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

Until 1989, this site was located in East Berlin. Here, on August 1, 1987, the government of the German Democratic Republic opened the Grand Hotel Berlin, now The Westin Grand Berlin. This prestigious and sumptuous luxury hotel was built with the aim of attracting foreign currency. Indeed, prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall, it could only be booked in return for hard Western currency - Deutschmarks or US dollars - and was directly controlled by the secretary of state in the foreign trade ministry, Alexander Schalck-Golodkowski. It has been part of the US-based Westin Hotels & Resorts since July 1997 and is now a brand within the global Marriott group. The Westin Grand Berlin has been thrilling guests of the Westin
The Berlin Wall and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 27, 2025
2. The Berlin Wall and Marker
Grand with a unique idea: A piece of the original Berlin Wall can be "torn down all over again," just like Ronald Reagan demanded years ago in front of Brandenburg Gate when he said, "Mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" The "Fall of the Berlin Wall" offer makes it possible.

Some 8,000 hotel guests have taken up chisels and safety goggles and torn down 300 kg of the Wall, carrying off the results of their work into the world as souvenirs of Berlin. This segment of wall - part of the original Berlin Wall between the Zehlendorf district and the town of Teltow until 1989- has been standing in front of the hotel since January 9, 2009. When it was installed, it was 1 m wide, 3.70 high and weighed 2.7 t.
 
Erected by The Westin Grand Berlin.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceMan-Made FeaturesWar, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Berlin Wall series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 9, 2009.
 
Location. 52° 30.943′ N, 13° 23.282′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Mitte. It is in Regierungsvierte. It is at the intersection of Behrenstraße and Friedrichstraße on Behrenstraße. The marker is located just a few steps to the west of the Behrenstraße entrance of the Westin Grand Berlin. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Friedrichstraße 158-164, Berlin 10117, Germany. Touch for directions.
The Berlin Wall and Marker - wider view image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 27, 2025
3. The Berlin Wall and Marker - wider view


Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Leonhard Euler (within shouting distance of this marker); Haus der Demokratie / House of Democracy (within shouting distance of this marker); Carl Gotthard Langhans (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Verein für die Geschichte Berlins / Berlin Historical Society (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Deutscher Leichtathletik Verband / German Athletics Association (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Russisches Haus in Berlin / Russian House in Berlin (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Governeurshaus / Governor’s Residence (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); König Willem I der Niederlande / King William I of the Netherlands (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on September 13, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
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Jun. 6, 2026