For more than two decades, the Berlin Wall acted as the “iron curtain” dividing East and West Berlin. But on November 9, 1989 the wall fell, marking the beginning of the reunification of the once fragmented country of Germany. While many parts of the wall were demolished completely, approximately 4,300 feet of the wall was left standing along the Spree River near the center of Berlin. In 1990, 188 artists from 21 different countries were brought in to paint this portion of the wall with murals, transforming it into the world’s largest open-air gallery: The East Side Gallery. 

I was lucky enough to be able to visit this gallery while on Brooklyn Arts’ 2026 international trip. After hearing a brief history from our local guide, we were given time on our own to walk up and down the sidewalk along the wall. From Thierry Noir’s cartoon heads, to ‘Diagonal Solution to a Problem’, to the iconic ‘Fraternal Kiss’ (pictured below), the murals depict artists’ commentary on the political changes in post-Cold War Germany. I found it fascinating how Berlin has chosen to honor this dark part of its history. Instead of erasing the past, it’s been memorialized in a way that pays tribute to the history in a place enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. These murals serve as both a symbol of joy in the fall of the wall and the end of Germany’s division, as well as a physical reminder of the long lasting effects the Berlin Wall has had on Germany.

If you’re interested in seeing one of these murals for yourself, there is actually a way to do so without the 8 hour flight. There is a small portion of the wall on display in Kowsky Plaza, a public park in the Battery Park City neighborhood of Manhattan. In 2004 this 8 foot section of the wall was donated to Battery Park City by the German Consulate to honor the 15th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and showcases an iconic mural by Thierry Noir. While it’s obviously not the same as seeing it in its original location, it is still very special to be able to see this piece of history in person.