Press release -
35 Years Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall in Potsdam
November 9, 2024, marks the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Potsdam commemorates this milestone with a series of events, including guided tours, discussions with eyewitnesses, and remembrance ceremonies.
A complete list of events and locations significant to Germany’s divided history—places that uniquely symbolize the era of division and the journey to reunification—can be found here (in German).
Potsdam and the Division
In June 1945, Cecilienhof Palace in the New Garden hosted the Potsdam Conference, which marked the end of World War II in Europe. The agreement between the three Allied powers redefined the postwar world, splitting it into two opposing spheres. This division ultimately led to the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, which ran directly through what is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It wasn’t until 1989 that the “Iron Curtain” was lifted. The inner-German border was opened on the night of November 9 to 10, allowing thousands to cross the Glienicke Bridge from east to west and back again, celebrating the end of division and, one year later, German reunification.
Tracing History
The permanent outdoor exhibition "Achtung Grenze" ("Attention Border") follows the former border route, offering insights into Cold War life in Potsdam through eight informational stations. These panels explain the structure of the border barriers and explore everyday life in the border area. The path stretches from the Glienicke Bridge to Bertinistraße, where, between 1965 and 1990, a central border crossing for river traffic between East and West was located.
An accompanying audio guide has been developed and is available for free download through the “Potsdam City Guide” app. This guide enriches the border tour with additional background information, including personal stories, escape attempts, and details of other locations along the route that tell fascinating tales of the past."
Topics
PMSG Potsdam Marketing und Service GmbH is entrusted with the tourism and culture marketing of the state capital Potsdam. This includes advising guests in the Tourist Information centres and via the service hotline as well as the broad portfolio of public and private tours. The PMSG congress office provides advice on all aspects of meetings, congresses and company events in Potsdam. The tourism marketing activities also include the publication of the travel magazine and podcast, but also the daily exchange on social media channels and websites.
