Berliner Innenstadt in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
Berliner Mauer
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Berlin Wall
| — | Geschichtsmeile Wilhelmstraße | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
1. Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Marker
Die Sperranlage bestand aus mehreren Abschnitten: einer »Vorderlandmauer« und einer »Hinterlandmauer«, einem Grenzstreifen mit Kolonnenweg, Wachtürmen und Sperrbefestigungen. DDR-Grenztruppen erschossen bis 1989 mehr als 138 Menschen bei dem Versuch, die Mauer zu überwinden.
Der Fall der Mauer wurde durch Reformen in der Sowjetunion vorbereitet, die auch bei den Bürgern in der DDR die Hoffnung auf Veränderung weckten. 1989 flohen Tausende DDR-Bürger über die Botschaft der Bundesrepublik in Prag und die ungarische Grenze in den Westen. Gleichzeitig erhielt die Opposition in der DDR erheblichen Zulauf. Es kam zu Massendemonstrationen. Der friedliche Druck der Massen führte am 9. November zur Öffnung der Mauer. Wenig später wurden die ersten Teile der Mauer niedergerissen. Noch vor der Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands am 3. Oktober 1990 war sie weitgehend aus dem Stadtbild Berlins verschwunden. Das an der Niederkirchnerstraße erhaltene 200 Meter lange Reststück der Mauer markierte die Grenze zwischen den Berliner Bezirken Mitte (Ost) und Kreuzberg (West). Heute ist es Bestandteil des Dokumentationszentrums Topographie des Terrors und steht unter Denkmalschutz.
(Bildunterschriften:)
Luftaufnahme des Grenzstreifens Niederkirchnerstraße/Wilhelmstraße, 1967, Landesarchiv Berlin
»Niemand hat die Absicht eine Mauer zu errichten« Walter Ulbricht, Generalsekretär des Zentralkomitees der SED, 15. Juni 1961, Ullstein Bild, Berlin
Zuschauer beobachten vom heutigen Gelände der Topographie des Terrors aus die Arbeiten an der Berliner Mauer, 1962, Ullstein Bild, Berlin
Mauerverlauf entlang der Niederkirchnerstraße, aufgenommen von Grenztruppen der DDR, 1988, Laurenz Demps, Berlin-Wilhelmstraße, 1994, S.287
Schaulustige nach dem Fall der Berliner Mauer auf der Mauerkrone. Im Hintergrund das ehemalige Haus der Ministerien der DDR, 12. November 1989, Ullstein Bild, Berlin
this page online
The border zone had several sections: a “front wall” and a “hinterland wall” and an inner track with a patrol path, watchtowers and a barrier system. Up until 1989 East German border troops shot over 138 people trying to escape over the Berlin Wall.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was precipitated by reforms in the Soviet Union that inspired East Germans with new hopes for change. In 1989 thousands of East German citizens started escaping to the west via the Hungarian border and the West German embassy in Prague. Meanwhile the opposition started growing rapidly in East Germany and big demonstrations were held. The pressure of this peaceful mass movement led to the opening of the border on November 9. Shortly after, the first sections of the Berlin Wall were pulled down. Even before the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990, the Wall had largely vanished from Berlin’s city landscape. The 200-meter-long remnant of the Wall here at Niederkirchnerstraße marked the border between the Berlin districts of Mitte (East) and Kreuzberg (West). Today it is a protected monument and part of the Topography of Terror Documentation Center.
(Captions:)
Aerial view of the border at the corner of Niederkirchnerstraße and Wilhelmstraße, 1967, Landesarchiv Berlin
“Nobody intends to build a wall.” Walter Ulbricht, Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the ruling East German Socialist Unity Party, June 15, 1961, Ullstein Bild, Berlin
Bystanders on the present site of the Topography of Terror watching construction work on the Berlin Wall, 1962, Ullstein Bild, Berlin
Photo by East German border troops showing the Berlin Wall along Niederkirchnerstraße, 1988, Laurenz Demps, Berlin-Wilhelmstraße, 1994, S.287
Spectators on top of the Berlin Wall after the opening of the border, with the East German House of the Ministries in the background, November 12, 1989, Ullstein Bild, Berlin
Erected by Topographie
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
2. Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Marker (Right Side)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Berlin Wall series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1961.
Location. 52° 30.429′ N, 13° 23.132′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. It is in Berliner Innenstadt. It is at the intersection of Wilhelmstrasse and Zimmerstraße, on the left when traveling north on Wilhelmstrasse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Wilhelmstrasse 98, Berlin 10963, Germany. Touch for directions.
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 Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Prinz-Albrecht-Gelände (here, next to this marker); Baudenkmal Berliner Mauer (a few steps from this marker); Dienststellen von Gestapo und SS / Gestapo and SS Offices (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Prinz Albrecht (within shouting distance of this marker); Prinz-Albrecht-Palais / Prinz Albrecht Palais (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Berlin’s Government Quarter (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilhelmstraße 102 (within shouting distance of this marker); Topographie des Terrors / Topography of Terror (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
3. Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Marker
The Berlin Wall is visible in the background on the left side of the street.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
4. Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Marker
A section of the wall near the marker.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
5. Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Marker
The former location of the wall is now marked by a red line tracing its original path.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026
6. Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Marker
A section of the wall with damage as the wall went down.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
