The Wall – Asisi Panorama Berlin: photos & tips

Located next to the iconic Checkpoint Charlie, “The Wall – Asisi Panorama Berlin” is a unique art project. Austrian artist Yadegar Asisi (b. 1955) created a large-scale painting about the once-divided capital of Germany. Known for his realistic 1:1 Panoramas, Yadegar Asisi replicated the atmosphere of the 80s Berlin by erecting a rotunda in the city’s heart.

Specifically, the artist shows a fictitious autumn day in the 1980s, and the setting is Kreuzberg. As you can imagine, visiting “The Wall – Asisi Panorama Berlin” feels like embarking on a journey through time. The whole project feels like a time capsule, and after entering the building, you’ll first come across various photos the artist used for inspiration. Afterward, it’s time to enter the Wall Asisi Panorama and immerse yourself in a journey to the Cold War.

I visited the Asisi Panorama Berlin Wall installation recently, and, despite the low-light conditions, I shot several photos. Therefore, I’ll share some thoughts about The Wall by Asisi (German title: Die Mauer) and plenty of photos in this article. Moreover, I’ll also share info about the location and how you can pre-book your ticket to avoid long queues.

Let’s start.

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The Wall: Asisi Panorama Berlin & what to expect

The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, and for twenty-eight years, it divided the city. The monstrous barrier became a symbol of the city’s contemporary history, and its effect is still visible in some aspects of German society. The 44 km long barrier (~27 miles) separated Berlin to East and West and consisted of two concrete walls. The area between them was the so-called Death Strip: it was almost 150 meters wide and was full of barbed wire and watchtowers.

According to artist Yadegar Asisi, it took him five years to conclude this impressive picture. The Asisi Panorama Berlin Wall depicts a day in the former West Berlin neighborhood of Kreuzberg in the 1980s. Although you can walk close to the Panorama to see details, there’s also a 4-meter platform to stand and observe the full image. Standing on the platform feels like being on a Sebastianstraße balcony in 1980s Berlin, and you can see a realistic representation of daily life.

The impressive painting offers a rare insight and presents various city elements: a gas station, punks, a corner bar (German: Eckkneipe), people curious to observe the Wall’s other side, tourists, a Späti (a late purchase store), squats, and the TV Tower in the background. And, of course, the Berlin Wall runs from edge to edge, sealing the divided city’s life.

As an extra touch, there’s also original music by Eric Babak and quotes from East and West Berlin politicians. The light changes often to show how it felt living next to the Wall during day and night. Nevertheless, the urban landscape will remain eerie throughout your stay in the exhibition hall.

Images & further info about The Wall Panorama by Asisi

So, after entering the exhibition building, you’ll see an initial room that serves as an introduction to the project. This room is about the background story of Asisi’s Berlin Wall Panorama. You’ll see various photos, information points, and sketches the artist created before materializing the Panorama.

Here are the initial ones:

And here are the final ones:

There’s also a map showing the divided Berlin. As you can see in the image, the border is visible. East Berlin was under Soviet influence, while the Western part was split between the French, the English, and the American influence.

You can also watch a video about the project at the first room’s end.

The most impressive part is, of course, the visitor platform. From there, you can observe the Panorama at its full scale. It looks like this:

And here, you can see some images from the Berlin Wall Panorama. The difference in colors is due to the changing light.

The light is often changing while you’re in the hall. Therefore, I thought of shooting two photos of the same location, one during the “daytime” and the other during the “night.”

Of course, it’s great to walk close and see the details. Here are some:

Finally, shortly before leaving, I thought of shooting a panoramic photo of the Berlin Wall Panorama. I used my smartphone, and I found the result decent.

And that’s it with my photos from Asisi’s Berlin Wall Panorama.

In the next section, you’ll find tips for your visit and a few more photos.

How to book your Berlin Wall Panorama Tickets

While purchasing tickets straight at the counter is possible, it’s always better to pre-book one. There’s a set number of tickets allocated per hour, and it’ll be a pity to arrive on the spot only to queue for an hour behind a group. A pre-booked ticket gives you access to a specific timeframe, and you can skip the line.

You can pre-book your Panorama tickets here. Simply choose the date and time and purchase your ticket online. The regular ticket costs 11 euros; children younger than 6 years old enter for free.

Pro Berlin tip: If you buy a Berlin Welcome Card, you can save 25% on the Asisi Wall Panorama. The Berlin WelcomeCard offers up to 50% discounts to more than 200 museums and places of interest around the city and includes free public transport. You can purchase a Berlin Welcome Card here.

How to reach the Berlin Wall Asisi Panorama

“The Wall – Asisi Panorama Berlin” is next to Checkpoint Charlie. Its exact address is Friedrichstraße 205, 10117 Berlin, and you can see it here on Google Maps.

You can easily reach the Panorama by public transport. U-Bahn line U6 will bring you the; the stop’s name is “Kochstraße-Checkpoint Charlie.” Alternatively, you can use bus M29 (the stop’s name is also Kochstraße-Checkpoint Charlie). Finally, the U-Bahn stop at Stadtmitte is not far from the exhibition, and line U2 will stop there.

Opening hours

“The Wall – Asisi Panorama Berlin” is open daily between 10 am and 6 pm. The last admission is an hour before closure; therefore, at 5 pm.

Bonus tip: free guided tours

Every Thursday at 11:30 am, there’s a free guided tour of the installation in English. If you are on the site, you can join it without extra fees to learn more about the Asisi Panorama. The tour lasts for approximately one hour.

*From April 2023, the English guided tours will take place every Thursday at 10:30 am.

“Asisi Panorama Berlin: The Wall”: Conclusion

The Asisi Berlin Wall Panorama is a must-see if you have a genuine interest in the Cold War past of the city. Despite showing a fictitious autumn day in the 80s, the panorama depicts the era realistically. The atmosphere Asisi created on “The Wall” is unique, and the details in the picture give a fine overview of the divided city.

Moreover, since “The Wall” is next to Checkpoint Charlie, the Black Box Museum, and the Mauermuseum, you can dedicate a couple of hours to learning everything about the city’s turbulent years. Therefore, exploring this side of the German capital is hands down one of the best things to do in Berlin.

So, book your ticket and embark on a journey to an era that is not as old as we often think.

More about Berlin: The Berlin Wall Memorial, 3 days in Berlin guide, The ultimate Berlinale guide, Dennewitzstr. 2

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Last Updated on November 26, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos