Memorial to the former East-West border checkpoint

Border from west to east

   

The former border between east and west Germany passed very close to Braunschweig with the Marienborn border checkpoint about 40km from here.

First we visited Helmstedt, on the western side, and saw the effects of the wall from their perspective - particularly the effect on the economy with people on the east german side no longer able to shop there.  There was also an open cast coal mining pit which the fence went right through the middle of.

Then it was off to the former eastern side, to Hötensleben, where 350m of the fence has been kept as a memorial.  Because the border is right beside the town, there was first a 5km access limited zone, followed by a high concrete wall to prevent looking though, 10m sand strip, electric wire fence with alarms, 100m wide free shooting space with mines, vehicle block, final wall then a further 10m open strip before west germany could be reached.

Finally we went to Marienborn itself which was a major road checkpoint between east and west germany.  Our host, André, remembers crossing it as a child to visit family in the east and this is the first time he has been back.  He still remembers how terrifying it was going though the check point.
  

Bitterly cold today - a max of 4 degrees.  Lots of red noses and rosy cheeks!