Tränenpalast

The Tränenpalast in Berlin-Mitte stands at Bahnhof Friedrichstraße and recalls the former exit formalities at one of the most important inter-German crossing points. From here S- and U-Bahn trains ran towards West Berlin; long-distance trains passed through West Berlin to the Bundesrepublik.

The departure hall was erected shortly after the construction of the Wall and was operated by the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The architecture, with a self-supporting steel-and-glass structure and ceramic cladding, was intended to reflect contemporary international design principles and to mask the building’s actual function. The hall contained control and processing counters staffed by employees of the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit wearing Grenztruppen uniforms.

The popular name “Tränenpalast” arose from the often tearful farewells between GDR citizens and their western visitors, because those leaving were usually not granted freedom of travel. Access restrictions and changing regulations shaped the procedure: pre-checks at the entrances, customs and baggage inspections, enforcement of export regulations, and the thorough examination of passports and visas at several processing counters equipped with allocation lights for different nationalities. Only after the checks were completed did travellers enter the western part of the station with connections to the S-Bahn, U-Bahn and long-distance services. Entry into East Berlin was handled via other station facilities.

The site also became known for a fatal incident in 1974, when a traveller was shot while passing through the hall.

After reunification the hall lost its original function; it was placed under historic protection and used for cultural purposes at times. Since the completion of extensive renovation work, the heritage-listed Tränenpalast has housed the permanent exhibition “Alltag der deutschen Teilung”, operated by the Stiftung Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Across roughly 550 square metres, biographical examples, original objects, reconstructed processing booths and a 1:87 scale model illustrate life at the border and stages of the reunification process.