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Divided Berlin: Then-And-Now Photos Show Where The Wall Stood

Thirty-five years after the Berlin Wall was toppled, 2024 images contrasted with archival photos capture the scars that remain from the Cold War's most infamous border.

Berlin's "anti-fascist protection barrier" was installed by East Germany's Soviet-backed left-wing government in the summer of 1961, ostensibly to prevent Western spies from entering East Berlin. In reality, the wall, which turned East Berlin into a vast open-air prison, was a desperate measure by East Germany's government to stop millions of its own citizens fleeing to freedom after Germany was divided into zones of Soviet and Western control following World War II.

Through the decades the wall was in place, thousands of people managed to escape from East Berlin, but at least 140 were killed in the attempt, many of them shot by East German border guards.

The wall was toppled on November 9, 1989, amid massive protests both inside and outside East Germany, a police state that collapsed along with its infamous wall.

Then

East German troops installing the Berlin Wall near the Reichstag in November 1961.   

Now

East German troops installing the Berlin Wall near the Reichstag in November 1961.   
1 East German troops installing the Berlin Wall near the Reichstag in November 1961. 

 

Then

A car crossing from East to West Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie in October 1964. The crossing was the only point through which foreigners were permitted to pass. 

Now

A car crossing from East to West Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie in October 1964. The crossing was the only point through which foreigners were permitted to pass. 
2 A car crossing from East to West Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie in October 1964. The crossing was the only point through which foreigners were permitted to pass. 

Then

Children in West Berlin in 1968 playing alongside the wall that cut Sebastian Street in half. 

Now

Children in West Berlin in 1968 playing alongside the wall that cut Sebastian Street in half. 
3 Children in West Berlin in 1968 playing alongside the wall that cut Sebastian Street in half. 

Then

The wall cutting through central Berlin, photographed in March 1973

Now

The wall cutting through central Berlin, photographed in March 1973
4 The wall cutting through central Berlin, photographed in March 1973

Then

An overgrown wasteland alongside the wall where it passed the Brandenburg Gate, as photographed in August 1974

Now

An overgrown wasteland alongside the wall where it passed the Brandenburg Gate, as photographed in August 1974
5 An overgrown wasteland alongside the wall where it passed the Brandenburg Gate, as photographed in August 1974

Then

A checkpoint at the Oberbaum Bridge over the Spree River, photographed in October 1976

Now

A checkpoint at the Oberbaum Bridge over the Spree River, photographed in October 1976
6 A checkpoint at the Oberbaum Bridge over the Spree River, photographed in October 1976

Then

East German soldiers patrolling along the wall near Berlin's train station in September 1987. The buffer between the inner and outer walls was known as the "death strip" and was designed to offer a clear line of fire for border guards under orders to shoot at anyone trying to flee. 

Now

East German soldiers patrolling along the wall near Berlin's train station in September 1987. The buffer between the inner and outer walls was known as the "death strip" and was designed to offer a clear line of fire for border guards under orders to shoot at anyone trying to flee. 
7 East German soldiers patrolling along the wall near Berlin's train station in September 1987. The buffer between the inner and outer walls was known as the "death strip" and was designed to offer a clear line of fire for border guards under orders to shoot at anyone trying to flee. 

Then

The Berlin Wall running along Niederkirchner Street, photographed in 1988

Now

The Berlin Wall running along Niederkirchner Street, photographed in 1988
8 The Berlin Wall running along Niederkirchner Street, photographed in 1988

Then

A car patrolling the "death strip" along Bernauer Street in 1989

Now

A car patrolling the "death strip" along Bernauer Street in 1989
9 A car patrolling the "death strip" along Bernauer Street in 1989

Then

East Berlin border guards stand atop the Berlin Wall in front of the Brandenburg Gate on November 11, 1989. Two days earlier, on November 9, the wall was breached by thousands of Germans after an East German official indicated that travel restrictions between East and West Germany were to be ended "without delay."  

Now

East Berlin border guards stand atop the Berlin Wall in front of the Brandenburg Gate on November 11, 1989. Two days earlier, on November 9, the wall was breached by thousands of Germans after an East German official indicated that travel restrictions between East and West Germany were to be ended "without delay."  
10 East Berlin border guards stand atop the Berlin Wall in front of the Brandenburg Gate on November 11, 1989. Two days earlier, on November 9, the wall was breached by thousands of Germans after an East German official indicated that travel restrictions between East and West Germany were to be ended "without delay."  

Then

People stream through a breach in the wall on November 11 after East German soldiers were ordered to stand aside, effectively ending the physical divide between East and West Berlin. 

Now

People stream through a breach in the wall on November 11 after East German soldiers were ordered to stand aside, effectively ending the physical divide between East and West Berlin. 
11 People stream through a breach in the wall on November 11 after East German soldiers were ordered to stand aside, effectively ending the physical divide between East and West Berlin. 
16x9 Image

Amos Chapple

Amos Chapple is a New Zealand-born photographer and picture researcher with a particular interest in the former U.S.S.R.

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