Forgotten remnant of Berlin Wall found in central district

BERLIN – A local official has discovered a forgotten remnant of the Berlin Wall close to the new headquarters of Germany’s foreign intelligence service. It’s the second long-lost piece of the barrier to be identified and given protected status this year.

District councillor Ephraim Gothe said Wednesday he stumbled across the stretch of concrete wall, partly hidden by bushes, on a walk with locals in June. He says they puzzled over it then “guessed that it might have been part of the border security system.”

Gothe said authorities gave the remnant protected status last week.

Most of the wall, built in 1961 by communist East Germany, was demolished starting in 1990. Only a few preserved sections remain. Earlier this year, a remnant from its early days was identified in a suburban district.