Living the Wall: Personal Histories of the GDR
Hallo, I'm Martin, and although I have lived in Berlin my entire life, I have also travelled extensively around the world. My wife and I have done many walking tours on almost all 7 continents; we have taken the best bits from all of them and hopefully created a tour that you will find both informative and enjoyable.
Pickup
Our meeting point is under the iconic TV Tower at Alexanderplatz. Please meet at the benches in front of the TV Tower entrance (between Coffee Fellows and TKMaxx. Look for the tall man in a red hat - that's me!
Description
What was it like to grow up in a country surrounded by a wall?
How did families live, love, and work in East Germany—the GDR?
On this immersive walking tour through Berlin, we uncover the human side of one of the most tightly controlled regimes of the 20th century. Through real-life stories, historic landmarks, and hidden corners of the city, you’ll step into the everyday world of East German families.
Drawing from my own family’s experiences, we’ll explore:
- What did daily life look like behind the Wall?
- What was it like to go to school under a socialist regime?
- How did it feel to live in a country you weren’t allowed to leave?
- What did “freedom” mean in the GDR?
- And how do East Germans remember that time today?
This tour isn’t just about politics or Cold War history—it’s about people. You’ll hear true stories of survival, humor and everyday ingenuity, passed down through generations. Along the way we will visit Alexanderplatz, Karl-Marx-Allee (formerly Stalinallee) and the Andreasviertel ending within striking distance of the East Side Gallery.
As we walk we’ll also discover the surprising legacy of the GDR still visible today—through items that outlived the regime. Some of which include:
- Plattenbau (the wonderful concrete apartment blocks)
- Kino International (the premier cinema of the GDR)
- Ampelmännchen (pedestrian crossing men)
We'll also taste some East German products that not only survived the fall of the Berlin Wall but are still available — and in many cases, beloved — in Germany today. These items are often associated with Ostalgie, the nostalgic longing for life in East Germany.
By the end of the walk, you’ll come away with a richer understanding of how history shaped the lives of ordinary families—and how those memories continue to shape Germany today.
Perfect for history lovers, curious travelers, and anyone interested in the Cold War through a deeply personal lens.