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Monument · Berlim, Berlim
East Side Gallery
The longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall still standing, about 1.3 km along the river Spree, covered with paintings made by artists from various countries in 1990.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is on Mühlenstraße in the Friedrichshain district, between Ostbahnhof station and the Oberbaumbrücke. It is the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall. In fact it was the inner wall, facing East Berlin: the actual border was the Spree riverbank on the Kreuzberg side.
In the spring of 1990, a few months after the fall of the Wall, 118 artists from 21 countries painted around one hundred murals along 1,316 meters. The works comment on the political change of those years. The best-known is Beijo Fraterno by Dmitri Vrubel, which shows Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev kissing East German Erich Honecker.
Over time the paintings suffered from graffiti and weathering, and in 2009 the artists repainted their works. Some sections were removed to make way for construction. On the river side there is a waterside promenade. The gallery is maintained by the same foundation as the Bernauer Straße memorial.
The visit is outdoors, along the pavement, and admission is free.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Walking the entire length on foot, stopping at the main murals, takes 45 minutes to an hour.
Best time
In the morning the light is good for photography and there are fewer people. In the late afternoon, head to the Oberbaumbrücke to watch the sunset over the Spree.
How to get there
Start at Ostbahnhof station (S-Bahn) and walk to Warschauer Straße station (S-Bahn and U1) at the other end. Both points are at the ends of the gallery.
Tip
Do not write on or stick anything to the murals. The busiest sections are near the Beijo Fraterno; watch your belongings. From the end of the gallery, the Oberbaumbrücke leads to Kreuzberg.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about East Side Gallery
Is the East Side Gallery paid?
No. It is an open-air gallery along the pavement, and admission is free.
Which is the most famous mural?
The Fraternal Kiss by Dmitri Vrubel, showing Brezhnev and Honecker. It usually attracts more people for photos.
Where to start the visit?
From Ostbahnhof station, ending at Warschauer Straße near the Oberbaumbrücke, or in the reverse direction.
Are the murals the originals from 1990?
The artists repainted their works in 2009, following the original designs.