A New Section Of The Berlin Wall Has Just Been Discovered Here's What To Know

It’s hard to imagine that there could be much more to discover about one of the world’s most historical artefacts, the Berlin Wall. However, a walking tour group in Germany’s capital got more than they bargained for one June afternoon when it accidentally discovered a new section of the Berlin Wall, hidden away in the bushes.

The extra section of concrete was discovered in Südpanke Park, right next to Germany’s Federal Intelligent Services, whose agents, quite comically, never detected the section of undiscovered wall that had been sitting right under their noses. Rather, it was discovered by Ephraim Gothe, a city councilor in Berlin-Mitte, who was on a neighborhood walking tour in the area. The Berlin Wall Foundation was then contacted to verify the legitimacy of the artefact, and to confirm that the remains signified a 20-meter (66-foot) addition to the Berlin Wall.

The remains of the Berlin Wall are protected as historical monuments

Why was this part of the wall not discovered until now? Besides being covered in greenery, the section actually made up the preliminary border that stood between Berlin’s infamous ‘death-strip’ and what used to be East Berlin, instead of being part of the more obvious barrier that divided the city into East and West.

Another part of German history has been unearthed, and this part of the wall has already been named a historical monument and placed under protection.

The Berlin Wall was completed in 1961 and torn down in 1989. The most popular places to see its remains today are the tourist hot-spots of the graffiti-covered East Side Gallery, Mauerweg in Prenzlauer Berg, and the reconstruction of Checkpoint Charlie near the city center. Earlier this year, it came to light that a local historian named Christian Bormann had stumbled upon a whopping 80-meter (262-foot) section of the wall in 1999, and had kept his discovery a secret for almost two decades.

According to the Berlin Wall Foundation, it’s plausible that there are still many smaller sections of the wall hidden around Germany’s capital that have not yet been accounted for. So if you’re walking around the city, keep your eyes open—you never know what you may find!

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.