Berlin 2025 · Page 3

The facility was used to interrogate and wear down political prisoners. People suspected of working against the SED regime or passing information to the West were often held here for months without charge or trial.

On Sunday, as a surprise, we had been invited into Berlin's underworld. We were allowed to take part in Tour D, "Dresdener Straße".

The bunker on Dresdener Straße dates from the Second World War and served as an air-raid shelter for the civilian population. The underground facility consists of several rooms and tunnels. Today it's a listed monument and a reminder of the time of the air war. During construction work the bunker came back into focus, and its use for cultural purposes is being discussed.

The tour of this facility and our guide's stories brought its history close to us.

After a great weekend, on Sunday we headed home again.