Culture Wednesday: Tränenpalast

On Wednesday, we will visit the famous Tränenpalast (“Palace of Tears”), which once served as the departure hall of the Friedrichstraße border crossing. In the past, long-distance trains traveled from the East through West Berlin to the Federal Republic of Germany and S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains ran between East and West Berlin. Most citizens of the GDR had no freedom to travel and often had to say goodbye to relatives or friends in the departure hall (sometimes forever) when they were leaving for the West. It is because of these emotional farewells that the site became known as the Palace of Tears. Today, the venue hosts an interesting and free permanent exhibition called “Site of German Division”. It focuses on the founding of the FRG and the GDR as well as on the customs and passport checks that took place in the Tränenpalast. Learn more about Berlin’s history through moving personal stories and eyewitness accounts!

Meeting point: 1 p.m. in front of the Sprachenatelier
Entry: free
Duration: as long as you like