The Parliament of Trees

The Parliament of Trees is a memorial garden composed of granite slabs, sections of the Berlin Wall, trees, and informative plaques arranged along the Spree River opposite the Reichstag. The site documents locations and moments from Germany's divided period.

Artist Ben Wagin created the memorial on November 9, 1990, incorporating 58 sections of the Berlin Wall and the names of 258 people who died at the border. This combination honors both the physical barrier and the human cost of division.

The central area displays trees planted by leaders of German states to represent unity and reconciliation of the formerly divided nation. These plantings reflect the coming together of different regions across the country.

The memorial is accessible through the Schiffbauerdamm promenade and can be visited on Sundays between 12:00 and 17:00. Groups of ten or more people can arrange guided tours to learn more about the history and significance of the site.

The Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus building integrates the memorial into its structure, displaying original wall sections that trace the historical border line. This integration shows how closely the site's history is woven into contemporary architecture.

Location: Berlin-Mitte

Inception: November 9, 1990

Creator: Ben Wagin

GPS coordinates: 52.52110,13.37760

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:55