This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.
What comes to your mind when you’re in Berlin and someone says “communism”? The Wall? GDR? Hotspot of the Cold War?
All of these things are an important portion of our tour, but they’re only a part of the topic called “communism & socialism”. So our goal is more ambitious than just showing you the Berlin Wall and mentioning a couple of chapters of the Cold War history. We want to give you a holistic understanding of one of the most revolutionary and controversial ideological movements in world history.
How? By way of having a chronological journey from the 19th to 21st century and covering all the main chapters of the history of German communism. You will learn about the fathers of communist ideas – K. Marx & F. Engels and what they really taught about. You’ll hear the story of R. Luxembourg & K. Liebknecht and understand their role in a political struggle that tore German society apart 100 years ago and thus also helped A. Hitler rise to power. You’ll see and compare the Soviet model of socialism exported to Germany after WWII: you’ll experience it architecturally, grasp it geopolitically and perceive it through people’s life stories. Finally, we’ll talk about leftwing movements today.
After this 3 hours Walkative journey, you’ll form a historical Gestalt of communist & socialist ideas! Both in Germany and Europe (and even beyond). Both before and after WWII. Long before and long after.
You will discover:
• Marx-Engels Forum – a memorial dedicated to the fathers of communist ideas
• Liebknecht balcony – a place of the proclamation of the Free Socialist Republic of Germany
• Volksbühne at the Rosa Luxemburg Platz – formerly the most representative theatre in Berlin
• Karl Marx Allee – the most impressive Stalinist architecture in Germany
• Frankfurter Tor – an example of further development of socialist ideas in East Germany
• The Berlin Wall (East Side Gallery) – the longest remaining part of the notorious border between East and West
professional local guide
a daily transport ticket (AB zone)
Meeting point: In front of the Red Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus) – look for the yellow umbrella!
Start time: participants are expected to show up 5 min before the start time.
Attention: a daily transport ticket (AB zone) is needed for this tour!
Language: English
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
Attention: a daily transport ticket (AB zone) is needed for this tour!
Our tour guide was Mary and she showed and told us all aspects of Berlin during the World War I and II, Cold war, and nowadays. It was a very delighting walking, mainly because she compared with others countries and cities and showed not known places. I will definitely participate again when I come back to Berlin.
A very informative, entertaining and interesting tour led by Mary. Thank you very much.
Very informative, interesting, and Mari brought her expertise and very personal passion for the subject all along the way, especially on the subject of Rosa Luxembourg. A fun way to tour the city and meet other tourists too!
We discovered things today about the history of socialism, communism and German history. Not just facts and figures but feelings, adaptation and evolution. Marisia spoke about the slippery slope when power is selected over principle, even for pragmatic and purposeful reasons. We were introduced to major historical figures I had never heard about. And we felt their passions and motivations. It was a wonderful tour! Thank you, Marisia!
We spent the afternoon with the most informative, intellectual and well presenting guide – Marisha (Mary)