Mauer (The Wall)

The Mauer, or Berlin Wall, was a physical barrier built in 1961 by East Germany to separate East and West Berlin. Its purpose was to prevent citizens from fleeing Communist East Germany to democratic West Berlin. The Wall consisted of concrete segments, barbed wire, guard towers, and other fortifications, serving as a symbol of Cold War tensions. It effectively cut off communication, travel, and family connections for nearly three decades. The Wall's fall in 1989 marked a turning point towards German reunification and the end of Cold War-era divisions.