Observing Memories Issue 4 | Page 98

When fully finished EV13 , the Iron Curtain Trail , will follow this route | © European Cyclists ’ Federation www . ecf . com
2
Thanks to the positive media response , on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the construction of the Wall the Berlin Senate decided to put all remnants of the Wall under protection as monuments and to develop the entire length of the route as a signposted and bicycle-friendly pathway . It is an attractive combination of history workshop and bicycle tourism , of recreation and culture . The inner-city section between Bernauer Straße and the Oberbaumbrücke is especially informative and interesting , making it an ideal spot not just for cycling but also for a walk through history and through the politics of an era .
The “ Berlin Wall Trail ” has become part of Berlin ’ s Tourism Programme and is the first project that connects city tourism with soft tourism . In recent years it has developed into a tourist highlight . Today , even some five star hotels advertise the route and offer bikes and guides to their guests . In Berlin it is possible to experience history by bike during the day and then enjoy the reunited city in the evening at a concert , at the opera , or at one of the many theatres .
But not just Berlin , but Germany as a whole was divided into East and West by a 1,400 km long death strip with 3,000 km of fences , vehicle traps , 830 watch towers , flood light systems , walls and bunker complexes . To keep the memory of the former border strip alive , it was necessary to develop it for soft tourism . Additionally , it was planned to protect the flora and fauna through the establishment of a European Green Belt in the former death strip . In December 2004 the German Bundestag voted unanimously in favour of this . The plan was initiated by the Foundation for Environmental and Natural Protection in Germany ( BUND ) and is now changing of the death strip into a living space for around 5,000 different animal and plant species . In it , there are today 150 nature reserves , numerous flora-faunahabitat areas and biosphere reserves .
But it was not only Berlin and Germany that were
96
Observing Memories ISSUE 4