Hesse and Unity
The Hessian section of the former German-German border provides insights into the most recent German history.
The German-German border was almost 1,400 kilometers long; 270 kilometers ran between Hesse and the present Free State of Thuringia. The former death strip has become an area of interest to tourists. For the anniversary of German reunification 25 years ago, many of the points of memory along the former border are offering special guided tours, walks and other attractions.
Probably the most famous memorial site, “Point Alpha”, located in a former American observation post in Geisa, evokes life in the bygone GDR; the “Experience Area of German Unity” and the “Path of Hope” in the death strip convey a sense of history. The “Museum for Border crossers” in Bad Königshofen offers guided tours to border installations, while in Behrungen you can visit the border tower monument.
Ars Natura in the border area
Five special “Border Tours” for bicycle have been compiled by the Hessian tourist agency. They lead along signposted long-distance cycling routes in Hesse and Thuringen. Three routes can also be traveled by car. The stages lead along the “Green Belt”, the erstwhile death stripe, which rare plant and animal species have been able to colonize undisturbed. For the anniversary the Nature Park is offering several guided hikes.
Those who would like to combine the enjoyment of art with the border experience can do so in the Werra-Meißner district. There, between 2012 and 2014, artists created seven large landscape sculptures entitled Ars Natura, which by means of art portray the border experience and the boundless joy at the opening of the border. For instance, Breaking Walls by the Göttingen artists Joachim Reitner and Cornelia Hundertmark; various rocks in the form of cut and partially polished slabs symbolize breaking walls.