Most of communist East Germany’s heavily fortified border was torn down quickly after it was opened in 1989, but there are still places where visitors can see the remains of the Berlin Wall and other sections of the frontier.

Germany marks 35 years since the Berlin Wall fell with festivities beginning Saturday under the theme "Preserve Freedom!" as Russia's war rages in Ukraine and many fear democracy is under attack. Chancellor Olaf Scholz — whose governing coalition dramatically collapsed this week — said in a message to the nation that the liberal ideals of 1989 "are not something we can take for granted.