Mauerpark

Memorial Bernauer Straße 52-53, 13355 Berlin

Now famous for its flea market and bearpit karaoke every Sunday, Mauerpark was once home to part of the death strip and Berlin Wall. A 30m stretch of the Berlin Wall still exists and is used by graffiti artists to practice their skills.

The park sits on the former border strip between the districts of Wedding in the West and Prenzlauer Berg in the East. During the Cold War, this area was part of the heavily fortified death strip – a barren no-man’s land of raked sand, anti-vehicle trenches, signal fences, and watchtowers designed to prevent escape.

30m section of Berlin Wall still standing in Mauerpark today (Photo: Daniel Antonaccio)

After reunification, the wasteland was gradually transformed into a public park. The name “Mauerpark” (Wall Park) was deliberately chosen to preserve the memory of its history. The remaining wall section, around 300 metres long, has become a constantly evolving canvas for street artists from around the world, with murals regularly painted over and replaced.

Today Mauerpark is one of Berlin’s most popular weekend destinations. The famous bearpit karaoke, started by Irish musician Joe Hatchiban in 2009, draws thousands of spectators into the stone amphitheatre every Sunday afternoon. The adjacent flea market is one of the largest in Berlin, stretching along the edge of the park and attracting visitors and bargain hunters from across the city.