The village of Popelau was located near the former inner-German border, within the then strictly monitored border area of the GDR. The first of several border fences ran directly behind the houses of the village, on an old dyke. The surrounding pastures and meadows were part of the border area and could only be entered with special authorisation. Today there is a former GDR observation tower in Popelau, the BT-9, which cannot be entered. The area around the tower is now a protected area for rare animal and plant species. A local support organisation has rebuilt two border fences near the observation tower to allow visitors to experience the historical site. Informative panels tell the story of a contemporary witness from Popelau, who spent his childhood and youth near the monitored border strip. Visitors can also find out about the special flora and fauna that has developed around the former border tower in today's biosphere reserve.
Good to know
Eligibility
for Groups
for individual guests
Directions & Parking facilities
Walkers and hikers can reach the exhibition site from Popelau or Konau, while cyclists can cycle directly past the tower on the tarmac cycle path along the Elbe. Car drivers can park in Popelau, Konau or at the ferry terminal in Darchau and then walk the rest of the way to the border tower.
Contact person
Author
Flusslandschaft Elbe GmbH
Industriestraße 10
21354 Bleckede
Organization
Flusslandschaft Elbe GmbH
Nearby
