Berlin: Germany’s infamous Berlin Wall, which separated West Berlin from East Berlin for 28 years, has left a global legacy far beyond its original location.

According to Deutsche Welle, after the wall fell on November 9, 1989, segments of the structure were distributed worldwide as symbols of the struggle for freedom and unity. The US, in particular, holds more pieces of the wall than Berlin itself, with notable locations including the CIA headquarters in Langley and a restroom in Las Vegas.

The wall’s remnants can be found in 57 countries, each holding its own story and significance. In South Korea, wall segments at Dorasan, near the North Korean border, serve as a plea for unification. In Sofia, Bulgaria, a piece of the wall stands as a testament to the country’s journey towards democracy, gifted by the Berlin Senate and accompanied by plaques highlighting the historical context.

The global distribution of the Berlin Wall segments did not occur without controversy. After the wall’s fall, the transitional government of the German Democratic Republic sold sections of the wall, a move that stirred protests due to the perception of profiteering from a structure that had caused so much suffering. Despite this, the sale was intended to benefit non-profit institutions.

Artistically, the wall’s segments have been transformed into cultural artifacts. French artist Thierry Noir was one of the first to paint the wall in West Berlin, and his work continues to adorn segments owned by individuals like Heidi Klum in California. However, the artistic treatment of these pieces has also been criticized for commercializing a historical symbol, as highlighted by artist Lars O. Ramberg’s work in Trondheim, Norway.

While requests for wall segments have diminished over the past decade, reflecting changes in global politics, the Berlin Wall remains a potent symbol of dictatorship and the fight for freedom. Despite its transformation into a piece of pop culture, the wall’s historical impact endures.