East Side Gallery
"The East Side Gallery is the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall (1.3 km), transformed into an open-air gallery with 105 murals painted by artists from around the world in 1990. The iconic 'Fraternal Kiss' (Brezhnev kissing Honecker) and 'Trabant breaking through the Wall' are here. It's powerful, free, and exposed to the elements—some murals are fading. The Wall stood 1961-1989, dividing the city for 28 years."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Historic, artistic
Duration
1 hour
Best For
History buffs
The Backstory
After the Wall fell in November 1989, artists from 21 countries painted the eastern side in 1990 as a celebration of freedom. The murals comment on politics, hope, and division. By the 2000s, the murals were fading; restoration happened in 2009. The Wall itself stood 1961-1989, killing at least 140 people who tried to cross.
Local Secret
"Walk the entire 1.3 km stretch—it takes 20-30 minutes. The most famous murals ('Fraternal Kiss,' 'Trabant') are near the Oberbaum Bridge end. Go early morning (before 9am) to avoid tour groups and get photos without crowds. The graffiti on top of murals is vandalism—respect the art. Nearby Warschauer Straße has good bars and restaurants."