Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
EAST SIDE GALLERY
ARTIST: CÉSAR OLHAGARAY; IMAGE: JOHN FREEMAN/GETTY IMAGES ©
The year was 1989. After 28 years, the Berlin Wall, that grim divider of humanity, finally
met its maker. Most of it was quickly dismantled, but along Mühlenstrasse, paralleling the
Spree, a 1.3km stretch between Oberbaumbrücke and Ostbahnhof became the East Side
Gallery, the world's largest open-air mural collection. In more than 100 paintings, dozens of
artists from 20 countries translated the era's global euphoria and optimism into a mix of
political statements, drug-induced musings and truly artistic visions.
Time, taggers and tourists getting a kick out of signing their favourite picture took their
toll over the years. In 2009 the entire thing got a makeover, a process accompanied by con-
troversy since some artists considered the €3000 honorarium too low. In the end, all but six
agreed to redo their work.
Alas, the East Side Gallery is once again under threat, this time from property developers.
It has already lost ground: in 2006 a 45m section was taken down to create a plaza and boat
