Information panel about Berlin Wall victim, Rudolf Urban, Berlin Wall Memorial, Bernauer Strasse, Berlin, Germany
Image details
Contributor:
robert harrison / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
DNRFXHFile size:
27.9 MB (1 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
1785 x 5471 px | 15.1 x 46.3 cm | 6 x 18.2 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
April 2013Location:
Rudolf Urban Information Panel, Berlin Wall Memorial, Bernauer Strasse, Berlin, GermanyMore information:
Bernauer Strasse became famous for the escapes from the windows of apartment blocks in East Berlin down to the street, which was in West Berlin. Several people died here when the border was first enforced in August 1961. Here we see a German-English information panel to wall victim Rudolf Urban. the English translation reads: 'Rudolf Urban and his wife witnessed the closing of the border and saw the first people fleeing in August 1961. Once they realised that the border barriers would be permanent, his wife wanted to flee. Rudolf Urban hesitated at first; he was reluctant to start over again at the age of 47. But when the front door of their building was sealed shut on August 13, the couple agreed to flee. On August 19 the Urbans attached a rope to the window of their first floor apartment and slid down to the street below, but when they hit the pavement Rudolf Urban broke his heel bone. They were both brought to the nearby Lazarus Hospital, where Rudolf Urban caught pneumonia and died on September 17. Citizens placed wreaths and flowers at the entrance to the building after his death. A short time later a memorial sign was erected, where commemorative ceremonies were held. Later an inscription in the sidewalk and a white cross were added.' The steel poles mark the line of the wall.