The First Time Crossing

Start of construction: Work on the barrier was begun by the East German authorities on August 13, 1961. Purpose: The authorities' official aim was to protect citizens against fascism, but the real reason was to halt the mass exodus of citizens fleeing to the democratic West. Scope: The wall running through the city itself was 46 kilometers long and formed part of a 155-kilometer-long barrier system encircling West Berlin, featuring concrete, barbed wire, electric fences, and watchtowers.