Tränenpalast image

Tränenpalast

Tourist attraction Historical landmark History museum

An old border crossing point, now housing a permanent exhibition on daily life in divided Germany. People often mention museum, free, Berlin, interesting, history, time, wall, people, Germany, East,


Address

Reichstagufer 17, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Website

www.hdg.de

Contact

+49 30 467777911

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (5.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 9 AM to 7 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 10 AM to 6 PM, Holiday hours
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Monday: (Easter Monday), 10 AM to 6 PM, Holiday hours
  • Tuesday: 9 AM to 7 PM
  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 7 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (58) free (44) Berlin (38) interesting (21) history (19) time (18) wall (15) people (15) Germany (14) East (14)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Mark B. 8 months ago on Google • 306 reviews
    Loved learning more about this very specific crossing as it really highlighted the difficulties faced by Germany and Berliners, in particular, after the wall went up. It is great that this has been turned into a free museum of this calibre to provide really no excuse for everyone to stop in even just for 30 minutes (it really only took us 1h15) to learn a little bit and preserve this time. Great exhibits.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mina M. 1 year ago on Google • 34 reviews
    Absolutely everything makes sense in this city. This review might not be objective but what they did with the building and how well it is represented is mesmerizing for me. Really enjoyed the road through history and I was crying while watching some of the videos shown when the wall was down. They made this place free, with free wifi! Nowhere in the world I experienced this level of tourism, where they really want you to see something! They welcome you at the entrance and smile… amazing!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Marcus P. 5 months ago on Google • 409 reviews
    Ist ganz gut und auch kostenlos. Hier kann man einiges zum Grenzübertritt von damals erfahren
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Saudia T. 1 year ago on Google • 85 reviews
    I recommend everyone go, if in Berlin! It’s free. What a powerful and loving exhibition of the history of the “Palace of Tears”… to be in the physical place where this history took place and see the modern Friedrichstraße station is just … wow!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bianca W. 1 year ago on Google
    I'd say this is a must visit when in Berlin. It's completely free and stuffed with so much information. The building was the main border crossing from East to West Berlin during the GDR years, and still has many of its original features, including the gates and check points people had to go through. There's also a plethora of exhibits showing real life experience during those 40 years of separation, and how far people were willing to go, both to defent the state as well as to flee it. All information is provided in English and German, including many videos and interviews about personal experiences, as well as actual excerpts from Stasi files. Fascinating and informative! There's also a very clean visitor toilet that's free to use.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amandine G. 3 months ago on Google • 109 reviews New
    Moving and free museum that used to mark the "railway" separation between east and west Germany. People that fled the East would meet their family and friends for the last time, hence its surname or "palace of tears" This museum has kept the control boots which gives a playful side and make it more real. We learn about the creation of the wall, the reaction it provoked, the escapes, the smuggle of items and finally the end of the wall. To be honest I didn't really understand the difference between this museum and the Museumsportal (free too) both display the same kind of content & video about the wall, except that this museum is way more playful.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael E. 4 months ago on Google • 74 reviews
    Sehr spannende und informative Zeitreise . Vor allem mit der Führung und denn dadurch noch besseren Erklärungen und sogar persönlichen Erfahrungen des Erzählers Muss man als Berlin Besucher einfach mal mit gemacht haben
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elke B. 6 months ago on Google • 51 reviews
    Von außen ein typisches Glasgebäude der DDR!Die Ausstellung im Inneren hat es wirklich in sich!Ich konnte mich in die Bürger und Bürgerinnen genauer hinein versetzen und durch ihre Geschichten auch mitfühlen wie sie sich gefühlt haben müssen wenn sie ein bzw ausgereist sind aus der BRD oder DDR! Ganz toll gemacht und wirklich zu empfehlen!!@
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sanem C. 7 months ago on Google • 46 reviews
    A historical landmark for Germany! The living proof of the German separation which luckily ended by the fall of Berliner mauer! You must see it to understand germans and appreciate the land you’ve come to visit. The suitcases, the documents, the maps, pictures and stories, all very real and touching. There are guided free tours of this museum, in addition to audio explanations. The museum’s gift shop sells books that further elaborates the history that is conveyed in the museum.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dan W. 2 years ago on Google
    Fascinating museum - a must visit especially as entry is free
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jon C. 7 months ago on Google • 75 reviews
    This small museum gives a good overview of East Berlin during the Cold War, especially the role of Friedrichstrasse station as a key border checkpoint. Entry is free and a visit here should take no more than 40 minutes.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ahons100 3 months ago on Google • 63 reviews New
    Eine tolle Führung durch eine junge Studentin. Die Erinnerungen sind immer noch bedrückend real, die Geschichten die vorgestellt werden rufen die alte Beklemmung hervor. Lohnenswerte Ausstellung
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alicia S. 6 months ago on Google • 60 reviews
    Wow! Unexpectedly fantastic. When I arrived it looked like it was going to be a small exhibition, however I really underestimated how enriching the experience was going to be. Play the videos! You’ll learn so much. Also move from the right side to left, it’s counter intuitive since the information and lockers are on the left hand side. I spent 1 hour here which I honestly didn’t expect since it looks small from the outside! I learned a lot of different perspective about the Berlin Wall. A truly enjoyable experience. Oh!!! And I really appreciated the 3D model of the station, you realise how weighted the grounds you are standing on at one point in Berlin’s history.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Helena 7 months ago on Google • 57 reviews
    Free of charge. Very informative. Great audio guide you can access via QR code on your phone. Comprehensive exhibit. You can feel the atmosphere at the main crossing station between former East and West while actually feeling and hearing the trains passing underground. The audio guide can be finished in about an hour, but there is more text, audio and video material throughout the exhibition if you want to dive deeper.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Didi E. 2 months ago on Google • 52 reviews New
    Wir bekamen einen sehr eindrucksvollen und interessanten Vortrag der die gesamte Situation in der DDR und die Bedeutung dieses Tränenpalastes eindrücklich schilderte. So etwas darf nicht verloren gehen
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mohammad J. 3 years ago on Google
    ???
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Güngör Doğan A. 2 years ago on Google
    This place was the border station between West and East Germany. Many objects you can see in original condition. Museum is free. It was very crowded when we visited there were many students in museum. I recommend to visit
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 laura s. 4 years ago on Google
    Incredibly moving museum about the 'Palace of Tears', with touching stories of people separated from their loved ones by the wall and emotional footage of the night free movement began. Highly recommend a visit, especially as it's free!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abelard F. 1 year ago on Google
    is a former border crossing point between East and West Berlin, at Berlin Friedrichstraße station, which was in operation between 1962 and 1989. It is now a museum with exhibitions about Berlin during the Cold War period and about the process of German reunification. It was the border crossing for travellers on the S-bahn, U-bahn and trains going between East and West Germany.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tilman B. 1 year ago on Google
    For decades, people were humiliated here with Prussian accuracy, annoyed with endless passport checks and kept on course with large-scale campaigns of lies. The tears of the East Germans who had stayed behind flowed in large quantities from the Palace of Tears directly into the nearby Spree. No border guard could stop them, so they set off and were carried by the river current to western Berlin. No Cover - Free entry
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matt de N. 9 months ago on Google
    Free museum that taught us a lot about the true struggle of life in a divided Berlin and how the transport hub came to epitomise everything about the regime that forced Berliners apart basically overnight. A mix of audio, visual, text and retained counters from the time help contextualise the situation.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicolas I. 11 months ago on Google
    Free of charge, great documentation of the boarder and live in east/west berlin, can be explored at ones own pace, very touching, good mix of different media, children enjoy it, too - one of the best museum I have ever been - takes easily 2 to 3 hours
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Robin M. 5 months ago on Google • 85 reviews
    The displays were great, lots of first hand stories of experiences and lots of artifacts from the time. My only negative I experienced was that I wasn't able to see almost half of the displays because there were large tour groups standing around them listening to their guide and no room for anyone else. As I was also on a tour with a guide, I found it inconvenient since our guide said he wasn't allowed to do any guiding in it but that's clearly what they were doing. So I missed about half of the displays. But what I saw was excellent.

  • 5/5 Wen Jia L. 4 years ago on Google
    I came out thinking that I would’ve paid for this, even though it’s free! It’s a great collection of objects and short videos documenting the era. It might not look that interesting at first glance but if you take the time to read through all of the stories and descriptions, it is so fascinating and sometimes quite emotional.

  • 4/5 Jaroslav M. 3 years ago on Google
    Exiting the GDR. Checking in in the hall at Friedrichstraße railway station. Luggage and passport control. It sounds so rational and bureaucratic but means much more: leaving friends and family, tearful goodbyes – which is how the Tränenpalast acquired its nickname. Immediately after the construction of the Berlin Wall, the GDR erected the check-in hall at Friedrichstraße railway station in 1962. It was used for passengers crossing from East to West Berlin. The glass and steel pavilion was very much in keeping with the architecture of the era. Only passengers who wished to travel to West Berlin on the S-Bahn or U-Bahn could access the Tränenpalast. Policemen checked passports and visas, customs officers checked luggage and finally passports were checked thoroughly once more before onward travel was permitted. The permanent exhibition "Site of German Division" documents the fate of the Tränenpalast. Interviews with contemporary witnesses, biographies and 570 original objects illustrate the history from 1962 to 1990. Where customs controls were once carried out, there are now open suitcases with memorabilia of the travellers. The feeling in the narrow corridor of the passport control is still oppressive. Numerous signs could be preserved and show the instructions at the border crossing. The building is prestigious, deliberately designed in an impressive modern style, hiding its function as a strictly guarded check-in hall with border troops. Screens shield the eyes of passers-by. The infrastructure of the interior of the building is well-planned, with the route to the East appearing light and, by contrast, the route to the West being dark. In the station, a jumble of signs show the way. The routes taken by East and West Germans and overseas travellers are strictly separated. These days, on entering the building, you will first see the grand staircase in the bright hall. Visit the restored inspection rooms to experience the oppressive atmosphere.

  • 5/5 yi-rong w. 4 years ago on Google
    A great place to learn the history when Germany were separated. They provide audio guide through mobile phone that helps us know more about the life of people at that time. The precious audio and video displayed there are really helpful.

  • 5/5 Jessica Dávila B. 4 years ago on Google
    Such an interesting museum. You can learn about different life stories from people that went from the DDR to the west and viceversa. The furniture is still the same one. And is for free !!! If you are in Berlin, you can't miss it

  • 5/5 David L. 4 years ago on Google
    Great museum, very informative and it’s free. Bunch of artefacts from the time period. Would recommend it!

  • 5/5 ethan c. 4 years ago on Google
    I liked hearing the experiences from people and the way the museum is set out, the begining of the museum starts about how the wall came about going through time until the end of the museum when the wall is taken down and the aftermath

  • 5/5 Marc R. 3 years ago on Google
    Back to the past.... intéressant, free audio-guide

  • 5/5 Jessica W. 4 years ago on Google
    Great museum about the separated Germany. It is located in the actual checkpoint and very interesting. And it is for free!

  • 5/5 Jeremy B. 4 years ago on Google
    Again really interesting and loads of information about what it was really like to live in East Germany

  • 4/5 Wilfred van D. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting place. Tells another, less known, piece of WW2

  • 5/5 Mario P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Shone (Original) Scheen

  • 5/5 Fl S. 3 years ago on Google
    Sehr interessanter Ort deutscher Geschichte!

  • 5/5 Karoline N. 3 years ago on Google
    Sehr trauriger Ort. Geschichtlich 5*

  • 5/5 andREA 3 years ago on Google
    Sehr schön, Eintritt frei, gute Ausstellung man bekommt einen guten Eindruck von früher. Sehr schön für Kinder, es gibt dort einen Mitmachblock für verschiedene Altersgruppen und wenn man fertig ist hat uns die nette Dame an der Info noch einen Ausreisestempel gegeben, Dankeschön hat Spaß gemacht auch den Kids.

  • 4/5 Nicolas S. 3 years ago on Google
    Hier haben sich die Besucher- und Reiseschicksale entschieden.

  • 5/5 Margot A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting (Original) Interesante

  • 5/5 Paolo A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The view at the Tränenpalast is certainly essential to understand the atmosphere that reigned supreme in the GDR during the years of the cold war. The use of AUDIO GUIDE is essential to understand what you are watching. The museum is free and represents an important historical testimony. Duration of stay not less than one hour. VISIT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED (Original) La vista al Tränenpalast risulta, sicuramente, indispensabile per comprendere l'atmosfera che regnava sovrana nella DDR durante gli anni della guerra fredda. L'utilizzo dell'AUDIO GUIDA risulta essenziale per comprendere quanto si sta guardando. Il museo è gratuito e rappresenta un importante testimonianza storica. Tempo di permanenza non inferiore ad un ora. VISITA DECISAMENTE CONSIGLIATA

  • 5/5 Guido E. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent exhibition, great explanations

  • 5/5 Andy H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Really nicely done you get an impression of what it was like back then. Entry is free (Original) Wirklich schön gemacht man bekommt einen Eindruck wie das damals war Eintritt ist frei

  • 3/5 José Ramón Marco S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The Museum is very small, it has a lot of information about the things that were tried to pass through the borders and the military movement, but I do not consider it important or essential. (Original) El Museo es muy pequeño.Tiene mucha información sobre las cosas que se intentaban pasar por las fronteras y el movimiento militar,pero no lo considero importante ni imprescindible.

  • 5/5 Paulo S. 3 years ago on Google
    ???Local que deve ser visitado aqui era um dos locais onde as pessoas eram separadas pelo muro de Berlim ???

  • 5/5 Ccw K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) exciting (Original) Spannend

  • 5/5 Ernestina S. 3 years ago on Google
    My favourite museum in the city regarding the period of the Berlin Wall and Germany's division

  • 5/5 Mariusz Bolesław R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Worth seeing, as is the STASI museum. (Original) Warto zobaczyć, tak samo jak muzeum STASI.

  • 5/5 Guido L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting and informative. (Original) Sehr interessant und informativ.

  • 5/5 Achim 6. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) You should have seen it (Original) Muss man gesehen haben

  • 5/5 Magda 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very informative, interesting and varied. Great! (Original) Sehr informativ, interessant und abwechslungsreich gestaltet. Toll!

  • 3/5 Detlef W. 3 years ago on Google
    Mehr Atmosphäre dem Ort entsprechend wäre besset

  • 5/5 Da W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A very great insight into 40 years of restricting freedom of travel and exercising power. Everyone should have a look. The current restrictions are a joke for globetrotters. (Original) Ein sehr toller Einblick in 40 Jahre in die Einschränkung von Reisefreiheit und Ausübung von Macht. Sollte sich jeder mal anschauen. Da sind die aktuellen Einschränkungen für die Globetrotter ein Witz.

  • 4/5 Ralf L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A German-German historical must-see (Original) Ein deutsch-deutsches historisches Muss

  • 5/5 Tom Z. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice ? (Original) Sehr schön ?

  • 5/5 Chris R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting museum. Entry with us was free. But you get something nice on offer. I can recommend it. (Original) Sehr interessantes Museum. Der Eintritt bei uns war kostenfrei. Dafür bekommt man schon was schönes geboten. Ich kann es empfehlen.

  • 5/5 Janet de Boer - B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Fascinating museum. Is a good representation of the tension that prevailed in the time before Reunification (Original) Boeiend museum. Geeft goed de spanning weer die er in de tijd voor de Hereniging heerste

  • 5/5 Gert G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting contribution to the story (Original) Sehr interessanter Beitrag zur Geschichte

  • 5/5 Nataly N. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is interesting to see once. (Original) Интересно один раз посмотреть.

  • 5/5 Torben K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting exhibition (Original) Interessante Ausstellung

  • 5/5 Stella U. 3 years ago on Google
    Wirklich beeindruckend gemacht. Ein Muss zum hingehen. Emotional und auch nachdenklich

  • 4/5 Tor A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice exhibition (Original) Fin udstilling

  • 5/5 Jonathan J. 3 years ago on Google
    Interesting and free

  • 5/5 Omer R. 3 years ago on Google
    The exhibition is not too large (i.e. long), and nonetheless a les to give different aspects of the border pass through changing eras

  • 4/5 JeftE G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A very interesting museum to be visited. Here, an authentic civilian control point operated at the time of divided Berlin. You can watch videos with reports of people who lived at that time, such as seeing original articles from the people who made this crossing. There is still an original control cabin. While the visit to the museum is interesting, it is also sad to see the suffering that people felt at that time. If you like history it is worth the visit. Admission is free. (Original) Um museu muito interessante de ser visitado. Aqui funcionava um autentico ponto de controle de civis na época da Berlim dividida. Você pode assistir a vídeos com relatos de pessoas que viveram naquela época, como ver artigos originais das pessoas que faziam essa travessia. Ainda existe uma cabine de controle original. Ao mesmo instante que interessante a visita ao museu também chega ser triste por ver o sofrimento que as pessoas sentiram nessa época. Se você gosta de historia vale muito apena a visita. A entrada é gratuita.

  • 5/5 andy v. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very impressive (Original) Zeer indrukwekkend

  • 5/5 Michael S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Comprehensive, impressive and authentic exhibition about the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Cold War, attempts to escape and Stasischikane around the Friedrichstraße station. (Original) Umfassende, beeindruckende und authentische Ausstellung über Mauerbau, kalter Krieg, Fluchtversuche und Stasischikane rund um den Bahnhof Friedrichstraße.

  • 4/5 Marion S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Touching (Original) Berührend

  • 5/5 Jule 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting and worth seeing! We recommend (Original) Sehr interessant und sehenswert! Sehr zu empfehlen

  • 5/5 Verena S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) We recommend. (Original) Sehr zu empfehlen.

  • 5/5 Christopher L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A well-made museum on the division of Germany. In the historical buildings, history at your fingertips. There is a free audio guide for mobile phones (scan the QR code, listen to it). There are regular tours for both children and families. There are also booklets that can be filled out for children of different ages and contain food for thought and tasks with which the museum can be better explored and understood. Admission is free. (Original) Ein gut gemachtes Museum zur deutschen Teilung. In den historischen Gebäuden, Geschichte zum Anfassen. Es gibt einen kostenlosen Audio-Guide fürs Handy (QR-Code scannen, anhören). Es gibt regelmäßige Führungen, sowohl für Kinder als auch für Familien. Außerdem Heftchen, die für Kinder verschiedener Altersgruppen ausgefüllt werden können und Denkanstöße und Aufgaben enthalten, mit denen das Museum noch besser erkundet und verstanden werden kann. Der Eintritt ist frei.

  • 5/5 Nicole K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting (Original) Sehr interessant

  • 4/5 Anna K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting exhibition, is free. There is also toilet there. (Original) Interessante Ausstellung, ist kostenlos. Es gibt auch WC dort.

  • 5/5 Alessandro M. 2 years ago on Google
    Highly recommended museum about how people was allowed (or not) to cross the Berlin border during the wall time. And is free!

  • 4/5 richard e. 2 years ago on Google
    Free entry, small museum but very informative, great personal stories.

  • 5/5 Hernán 2 years ago on Google
    Good change to learn a bit more about the wall of Berlin and live during that time, and it's totally FREE!

  • 4/5 Mirka M. 2 years ago on Google
    Free entrance. I read about this place in a history book a while back, seeing it in person was a great experience. The museum is worth a visit. Exhibits the strict control of flow between the east and the west. Free wifi and restrooms

  • 5/5 John D. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a museum dedicated to the civilian crossing between West and East checkpoint Charlie being for diplomats and soldiers a grat insight indeed

  • 5/5 Tjeerd V. 2 years ago on Google
    impressive. the tragedies that took place here... must see

  • 4/5 Anna M. 2 years ago on Google
    Such an interesting place with a very deep atmosphere. The exhibition is great and quite thorough - you really get to know a lot about Berlin's past (and it's free as well). Also, if you are looking for a place to buy beautiful postcards with Berlin prints, look no further! One thing I'd complain about is that not everything was translated into english. All in all, I definitely recommend visiting Tranenpalast, you are not going to regret it.

  • 5/5 Tanja J. 2 years ago on Google
    Really interesting museum, you can use QR code and listen to the audio on your mobile. The only thing it's hot inside, outdoors was 40 on sun and inside was no better so with masks was hard to stay and look all in detail and we had to finish our tour earlier.

  • 5/5 Chris M. 2 years ago on Google
    Free entry. Interesting to learn more about the wall and what it was like to live in Berlin during that time.

  • 5/5 Dmytro C. 2 years ago on Google
    It's completely free, and that's not even the best part. The museum is tremendously small, just slightly larger than a regular hotel lobby yet it contains material enough to grip you and keep you invested for hours. Beware though if you shed a tear easily. The topic displayed here is quite hard to swallow. The name says it all - the Palace of Tears.

  • 5/5 Anna G. 2 years ago on Google
    A very interesting spot, recommended to me by a tourguide. Curious exhibition touching on real life, personal stories of Berliners

  • 3/5 Benjamin M. 2 years ago on Google
    A detailed and interesting, but very one sided, narrow minded presentation. What I mean is that surely the GDR was not simply a monolithic bloc of evil and the BRD an utmost force for good and freedom as this exhibition would lead you to believe. Both were a product of historical processes (and the meddling of foreign superpowers) and both were composed of horrendous and uplifting elements that deserve to be shown in their complexity. This is, after all, the aim of studying history. But, as they say, history is written by the victors.

  • 4/5 Mamoona A. 2 years ago on Google
    As a foreigner student, helped me to learn about German history. Good activity for student in winter season and obviously entrance is free

  • 5/5 Kannan S. 2 years ago on Google
    Takes you well into the history of the partition and all the problems people faced trying to cross legally or otherwise from either side. Gives you a whole new perspective about the importance of the Friedrichstraße Bahnhof

  • 5/5 Alexander C. 2 years ago on Google
    If you see one thing in Berlin, this is it. Amazing work, interactive, free, multimedia, touching.

  • 5/5 Jan Willem U. 2 years ago on Google
    This is one of the best places in Berlin to visit to discover the history of this once so divided city. This place has a very rich history and still feels very painful. Entrance and audiotour for free. Audiotour avaiable on your own device and runs for about an hour.

  • 5/5 reece h. 2 years ago on Google
    Best Museum I’ve been to. Fascinating history with lots of information, videos, walking through the passport control, English audio

  • 5/5 Zachary T. 2 years ago on Google
    Another fantastic museum in Berlin that is totally free! Lots of original artifacts and interesting text about GDR/DDR life and culture, with a focus around west/east Berlin relations. You should combine this museum with DDR and Kulturbreurie (spelling probably wrong lol) as 3 of the best in the city for learning about east German life. And only the DDR museum has entrance fee.

  • 5/5 Kiera R. 2 years ago on Google
    I saw the most beautiful German girl I’ve ever seen at the reception desk. Her name is Hilde. Will be going back every week on sundays. 5/5

  • 5/5 Vadim L. 4 years ago on Google
    Very impressive Museum that gives idea how it was difficult to cross the iron curtain border. Or how it is to cross it only one direction. P.s. this museum is completely free of charge

  • 5/5 Keith M. 1 year ago on Google
    Unbelievable museum detailing the Cold War and life in east/west Germany when the wall was built. Fascinating detail and highly recommend spending 2-3 hours to go through everything. Free experience and audio guide and located at one of the few checkpoints during the era. Awesome.

  • 5/5 Alejandra Villarreal W. 1 year ago on Google
    This museum is very well done and incredibly affecting. I’m so glad I visited, it’s a great way to understand part of Germany’s past during the Cold War. There are also stations where you can listen to audio in English of the videos and interviews.

  • 4/5 Howard S. 1 year ago on Google
    Compact museum, right in the center of a number of attractions. Some material overlaps with other memorials, but worth seeing again from a slightly different perspective. Didn't need reservations. At times things were too crowded for my comfort.

  • 5/5 Lee S. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic museum detailing the Berlin Wall and what life was like for those separated by it. Lots of nice small exhibits and personal stories from Berlin citizens. Totally free too!

  • 5/5 Maayan S. 1 year ago on Google
    A free museum that tells the story of Germany from the days of the construction of the wall until its fall. Very interesting, you can listen to explanations in several languages

  • 5/5 Martin P. 1 year ago on Google
    Piece of history, quick to see (depending on how much you want to read even as little as 15 mins), no admission fee.

  • 4/5 Jens Meewes D. 1 year ago on Google
    It's free and it is a must if you are interested in the life in Berlin, when the wall was still standing.

  • 4/5 Olena A. 1 year ago on Google
    A small museum about the processes of reunification of the two Germanys after the end of the Cold War. In the center of Berlin, admission is free. Interactive, lots of video documents. In the middle of summer it is a little stuffy, there is not enough air conditioning.

  • 4/5 SWETHA G A. 1 year ago on Google
    The museum is really well maintained no tickets🎟/ free entry , u can drop off your luggage/ bags at the counter inside and walk around the museum it gives off so much information about the life during the time when Germany divided. It's also known as Palace of tears.

  • 4/5 Chris O. 1 year ago on Google
    Cold war museum about the segregation if Berlin. Free entry just have a 1 euro coin ready if you have a backpack. Beautiful insight into what would have been a very difficult time, you can use your phone to scan QR codes to get an audio tour in english. Very easy and only needs about an hour to go over it all, but if you’re pressed you could do it in 20mins.

  • 5/5 Jurgen R. 1 year ago on Google
    Small but impressive museum with testimonials of people who passed there from East to West. You can actually walk the same passage where people and their passport were checked before going to 'the West'. Even without the real border control men in their cabin you can imagine how 'caught by the system' the people must have felt.

  • 5/5 Simli M. 1 year ago on Google
    Very human perspective of Cold war and the effects of wall on common lives. The video compilations section with propaganda news comparison between west and east Berlin is amazing. Interesting life stories of escape and unification ❤️❤️

  • 5/5 Eliane C. 1 year ago on Google
    One of my favourite museums in Berlin. I recommend an hour of visit (30” is a bit too short if you want to fully experience it) even if the museum is small, it is well documented and everything displayed is interesting. Backpacks have to be left at the cloakroom (mandatory).

  • 5/5 Ayesha Amin T. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautifully laid out, small museum that encases the trauma and pain of divided Berlin and divided Germany amazingly. All exhibits have English explanations next to them and the audio guide is available in English too. The museum entry is free.

  • 5/5 Nicola C. 1 year ago on Google
    Quaint nice museum. Rather small, but it's worth a visit, especially considering it's free, as far as I know (and I've been there a few times). If I have to be nitpicky, not all the material is available with translation. Still completely enjoyable and it's only some small details here and there.

  • 5/5 Marija M. 11 months ago on Google
    In my humble opinion, one of the best museums about the Berlin Wall. Very touching, very informative and also very well equipped. And also it’s free! Highly recommended to everyone wishing to know more about this very devastating page of Berlin history. 5/5

  • 5/5 I C. 11 months ago on Google
    I think what makes this museum great is that you are in the actual building where what you are learning about actually took place. The information is well laid out and is presented in a mixture of different ways which keeps it interesting. I particularly enjoyed the personal stories which help tie it all together. It is not a big museum so, even if you are short of time, you can still get a great experience. If you want to get a sense of what it was like to cross through the Wall, this is the museum for that.

  • 5/5 Fabrício S. 10 months ago on Google
    Amazing experience and for free!!! Close to the Friedichstrabe station it is a very simbolic point of the separation between west and east of Berlin. Great experience and recommended!


Call +49 30 467777911 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✓️ Assisted listening devices
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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