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What Happened After the Wall Fell. Berlin’s Postdamer Platz. Once the site of the Berlin Wall. When it fell, suddenly a large (60 hectare) site in the center of the city was available. The area became the largest building site in Europe. The area attracts 70,000 tourists/day.
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Berlin’s Postdamer Platz • Once the site of the Berlin Wall. When it fell, suddenly a large (60 hectare) site in the center of the city was available. • The area became the largest building site in Europe. • The area attracts 70,000 tourists/day. • Has been criticized for American-style commercialization.
Memorials • Berlin: Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (4.7 acres) • Memorial site of the Marienborn checkpoint • Memorial symbolizing the desire of the people of Nesselröden and Böseckendorf to reunite • Hundreds of memorials to remember individuals that died attempting to cross the border • Several memorials marking the location of villages which were destroyed to make room for the secure border, such as Billmuthausen & Bardowiek • And countless others
Inner-German Border Museums • At least 36 museums, such as • The Priest’s Cottage Büchen – with a focus on Michael Gartenschläger, a East German political prisoner killed in May 1976 • The Borderland Museum Schnackenburg – focuses on the original river patrol boats and destroyed local, border villages • The Agricultural Museum Böckwitz – focuses on area agricultural history and various stages of border fortifications • Memorial Site Point Alpha – commemorates the American soldiers stationed as watch in the most likely location for a Soviet invasion.
Conservation • Dec. 1989 – the Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) & other organizations signed the Green Belt Resolution of Hof. • Provided for the creation of an ecological zone of protection • Symbolized the unity of East and West
European Green Belt • Serves as a memorial to division of Europe – stretching 8,500 km through 22 countries • Connects 3272 conservation areas
Parks & Recreation • Iron Curtain Trail: follows the Inner-German Border passing numerous memorials & museums
Other Walls • Baghdad Wall (Iraq) • Belfast Peace Lines (Northern Ireland) • Botswana / Zimbabwe • Ceuta border fence (Spain) • China / Hong Kong • China / North Korea • Egypt / Gaza barrier • Indo – Bangladeshi barrier • …