Potsdam celebrates 35 years of unity: Experience history up close!

Potsdam celebrates 35 years of unity: Experience history up close!

On October 3, 2025, Potsdam will celebrate a very special anniversary: ​​35 years of German unity! The event promises not only a lively celebration of reunification, but also an excellent opportunity to experience history up close. The city offers a variety of experiences and offers that are reminiscent of the eventful past and set the course for the future.

For those interested in history, the tour “Attention, exclusion zone! Along the Potsdam border strip” is an absolute highlight. This tour starts at the iconic Glienicke Bridge, which became famous as an agent bridge during the Cold War. From there it goes along the former German-German border to the Bertini narrows, where numerous stories of border crossers and secret agents are told. These stories bring the story alive and tangible.

Experiences in striking locations

The Glienicke Bridge is not only the starting point of this exciting tour, but also a symbol of the Cold War, where exchanges of agents took place between the Soviet Union and the USA. The route leads along Schwanenallee, past historical sites such as the Hermitage and the Meierei, and ends at the former border control tower at Bertini-Enge, a central point for shipping traffic between the GDR and West Berlin from 1965 to 1990.

There are information steles set up along the path that keep memories of this time alive and provide background information. Technology lovers also have the opportunity to try out the Border Zone game app. This uses modern augmented reality technology (AR) in Babelsberg Park and enables interactive missions that make exploring the former border area a fun experience.

Additional offers and lectures

The celebrations take place as part of Berlin Freedom Week, which begins on October 3rd. In addition to the tour, exciting online lectures will be offered on November 12th, including on the Soviet secret service prison Leistikowstrasse, which is accessible via Zoom. Additional tours of the former Soviet secret service town “Military Town No. 7” are also planned to deepen the understanding of the complex historical context.

For those who want to experience history in a different way, there is oneSnapshots of the pastin the form of an open-air exhibition that runs along the border from the Glienicke Bridge and includes other stations such as Cecilienhof Palace in the New Garden. The Potsdam Conference was held here in 1945 and symbolized the end of the Second World War in Europe.

So take notes now: On October 3, 2025, Potsdam awaits you with an exciting program and numerous opportunities to experience the history of the division and reunification of Germany up close!