Hidden Gems
New York City (NYC)
Berlin Wall Remnants in Paley Park
Berlin Wall Remnants in Paley Park
Five authentic pieces of the Berlin Wall is located between Fifth and
Madison Avenues at 520 Madison Avenue in Manhattan since 1990, a year
after the wall's demise. The fall of the Berlin Wall brought
reunification for German and it formally concluded on October 3, 1990
after pieces of the wall were sent around the world. The wall measures
12 feet high and 20 feet long, presenting colorful Eastern Block
graffiti. The western-side of the wall was painted by German artists
Thierry Noir and Kiddy Citny. In stark contrast, the eastern-side of the
wall remains a blank slab of concrete representing former East Germany's
oppressive political government.
Even though many office workers have lunch sitting around the wall in
the park, few of them recognize the historic significance of the
graffiti on the wall and its origins. Unfortunately, as it was damaged
by the waterfall spay behind of the wall, it requires considerable
conservation work. It has been gone since September 2014 and plans to be
on display again at 520 Madison Avenue by midsummer of 2015. This time,
it will stay in the lobby of Speyer's building for the public to view.
Jerry Speyer of Tishman Speyer, who owns the plaza, purchased the
sections of the Wall at an auction sale. Surprisingly, three more
segments of the wall are located in New York City. One is at the
entrance to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, another is between
Gateway Plaza, the North Cove Marina, and the World Financial Center,
and another can be found in the gardens at the United Nations
Headquarters.
Source:
nycgo.com