Mauer (Berlin Wall)

The Mauer, or Berlin Wall, was a barrier built by East Germany in 1961 to prevent its citizens from fleeing to West Berlin and West Germany. It physically divided East and West Berlin for nearly three decades, symbolizing Cold War tensions and the broader conflict between communism and democracy. The wall consisted of concrete segments, barbed wire, and guard towers, making escape difficult and dangerous. Its fall in 1989 marked a significant step towards German reunification and the end of Cold War divisions in Europe. The Berlin Wall remains a powerful symbol of division and the triumph of freedom.