Walk the Wall

It's tough for a city to promote tourism when one of their biggest attractions no longer exists. Ever since the Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989, exploring its remnants has been difficult for the city's visitors, as pieces of the wall have been dismantled and sold, leaving little evidence of where East and West were once divided. But this week the city government unveiled a hand-held GPS device that will highlight important places on the path where the 103-mile wall once stood.

"With the help of this guide, we finally have an answer to the most often asked question: Where was the wall?" Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit told reporters as he introduced the new gadget.

The devices has a colorful touch-screen map that allows users can zoom in and out, and click on video, audio, and other multimedia to learn about 22 historic spots along the route. Stops include the Brandenburg Gate, where you can see a video clip of President Reagan challenging Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down that wall!" and an explanation of the some of the 106 murals on the East Side Gallery. The AP reports how the GPS provides the historical context for the politics during Cold War:
 
"Audio files and video documentaries give an overview of the wall's dramatic Cold War history, starting on Aug. 13, 1961, when East Germany began building the barrier to wall off the capitalist enclave of West Berlin in a bid to stop a westward exodus from the communist state.

At a memorial for the people killed while trying to escape across the barrier, users can click an icon that lets them see and hear Juergen Litfin talk about the death of his brother Günter—shot by border guards Aug. 24, 1961, and said to be the first of at least 125 people killed trying to make the perilous crossing."

Devices are currently available in German and English and cost between $9.50 to $24 depending on the length of their use. They'll be available from five kiosks around the city, and they anticipate releasing more languages soon.

Image: Mauerguide.com

Comments

[Suz]

What an ingenious idea! While I'm glad that the wall is down, I was always sorry I never got to see such a piece of history myself. It will be interesting to go and be able to walk where it was.