The museum grounds occupy a site that was once one of the most heavily fortified border crossings in the GDR.
The facility includes an original section of the 'Kolonnenweg' (concrete track) used by East German border guards.
The collection features original GDR border surveillance equipment and signaling systems.
The museum is situated in the 'Green Belt,' a protected ecological corridor that follows the former Iron Curtain.
It preserves a rare original example of the multi-layered barrier systems that were standard in the GDR border zone.
The Grenzlandmuseum Eichsfeld is located directly on the former inner-German border in Teistungen, utilizing the original border crossing site. It documents the history of the division between East and West Germany from 1945 to 1989. The grounds feature authentic border fortifications, including a preserved watchtower and a section of the expanded barrier system. Permanent exhibitions cover the construction of the Berlin Wall and the harsh realities of life in the restricted border zone. The site serves as a memorial and an educational facility for Cold War history. It incorporates the former customs hall and border security offices into its exhibition space. Visitors can explore a historical nature trail that runs along the former 'death strip' which has been reclaimed by nature. The museum highlights personal stories of citizens affected by the border's closure. Its location is specifically situated at the Duderstadt-Teistungen border crossing point.
The authentic watchtower overlooking the preserved section of the border fence.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to fully explore the extensive outdoor border grounds and the nature trail.
Allow extra time for the outdoor exhibits, as they cover a significant geographic area compared to the indoor gallery.
Bring a windbreaker or layers, as the open-field location can be significantly windier than the surrounding town.
Do not attempt to cross into restricted or unmarked off-trail areas, as some parts of the surrounding woods may still contain historic site remnants.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
Maintain a respectful tone as the site commemorates victims of the former border regime.
