The Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) is the Berlin colloquialism for the former border crossing at Berlin Friedrichstrasse.
The Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) is the Berlin colloquialism for the former border crossing at Berlin Friedrichstraße station, where East Germans said goodbye to visitors going back to West Germany. From 1962 to 1989 it was the border crossing for travellers by S-bahn, U-bahn and trains between East and West Germany. It was used only for westbound border crossings, with separate checkpoints for West Berliners, West Germans, foreigners, diplomats, transit travellers and East Germans. The term Tränenpalast derives from the tearful goodbyes that took place in front of the building, where western visitors had to say farewell to East Germans that were not permitted to travel to West Berlin. In 2008 the Tränenpalast was included in the expanded federal memorial site concept. On 15 September 2011, the Stiftung Haus der Geschichte opened a permanent exhibition to remind visitors of the consequences and daily restrictions due to the German separation. On 550 square metres, original artifacts, documents, photographs and audio and video recordings show the experiences at the checkpoint and give an overview of the reunification process. It was opened by Chancellor Merkel on 14 September 2011. In the first two weeks more than 30,000 people visited Tränenpalast; entrance is free.
Size: 5025px × 3351px
Location: Friedrichstraße, Berlin, Germany
Photo credit: © 2ebill / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 2014, bahn, bahnhof, berlin, clock, ddr, east, friedrichstraß, german, germany, mitte, museum, palace, station, tears, tränenpalast
