New life for the German-German Museum: Experience history at Little Berlin”!

New life for the German-German Museum: Experience history at Little Berlin”!

In Mödlareuth, the small village that was once divided by a wall, the residents celebrate the completion of the further development of the German-German Museum. The place, which proudly bears the nickname “Little Berlin”, attracts up to 100,000 visitors every year and is the only place in Germany with almost completely preserved structural remains of the inner-German border. Here visitors can immerse themselves in the eventful history that shaped the lives of the people in the former border. The museum was recently updated and is now more accessible for anyone who wants to experience the history of the division of Germany up close.

The museum was originally founded in 1990 on a private initiative and found its first premises in a small former manor. However, given the increasing number of visitors, an expansion was urgently needed. Around 22 million euros were invested in the new extension and the redesign of the outdoor area, with support from the federal government, the Free State of Bavaria, the Free State of Thuringia, the Oberfrankenstiftung and the Bavarian State Foundation.

A look into history

Mödlareuth has an eventful past. Historically, the village was divided by the Tannbach, which served as a border between different sovereigns. As early as 1810, boundary stones were set that marked the western side as part of the Kingdom of Bavaria and the eastern side as part of the Principality of Reuss. After the Second World War, Germany was divided into occupation zones, so that the border ran along old national borders. In particular, the period from 1949 onwards, when the borders were finally determined, led to massive cuts in people's everyday lives.

Both the GDR border closures and the idea of ​​escape were formative elements of the village community. On May 26, 1952, the border was finally secured by the GDR, while the wall was built in 1966, making Mödlareuth known as “Little Berlin”. This wall lasted until the Peaceful Revolution in 1989, which ultimately led to the opening of the borders and the reunification of Germany.

The new museum experience

The new permanent exhibition in the expanded museum impressively focuses on world history, local events and everyday stories from 1945 to 1990. With around 400 exhibits, including films, photos and contemporary witness reports, visitors can experience the time of division up close. Special highlights of the exhibition include a floating DOWA 81 aircraft and an original piece of the Berlin Wall.

An innovative element are the virtual reality tours, which offer visitors a new dimension in teaching history. The opening times are now also optimally tailored to the needs of the guests: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (November to February) and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (March to October).

Future visitors should not forget to note the entry prices, which from November 10, 2025 are as follows: adults pay 6 euros, reduced tickets cost 4 euros, family tickets are available for 15 euros and student groups only pay 2 euros. Admission is free for children up to 6 years old. The price includes not only the exhibitions, but also access to the outdoor area and the museum cinema, where the film “Everyday Life at the Border” is shown.

Overall, the investment in the further development of the museum has the potential to raise awareness of the history of the division of Germany and to offer visitors an unforgettable experience. Mödlareuth therefore remains an important place of remembrance and learning about a time that had a lasting impact on the country.