In pictures: Remnants of East Germany, 30 years after its end

SUMMARY

Thirty years after Germany was reunited on October 3, 1990, many once-decrepit city centres in the formerly communist East have been painstakingly restored and new factories have sprung up.

By APOct 1, 2020 10:20:37 AM IST (Published)

A former East German watchtower stands on a hill high above the former border area between East and West Germany in Unterweid, eastern Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

The abandoned and wrecked "Fuerstenhof" hotel is seen in Eisenach, eastern Germany. The once famous hotel where Adolf Hitler delivered a speech in 1932 was closed in 1996. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A wrecked and abandoned production building of the former East German VEB car factory where BMW and Wartburg cars were built is seen in Eisenach. The factory was closed in 1991. . (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A farmer works on a large acre in the former border area between East and West Germany in Kaltenwestheim, eastern Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Many companies and facilities didn't survive the abrupt transition to capitalism inefficient companies found themselves struggling to compete in a market economy, while demand for eastern products slumped and outdated facilities were shut down. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A giant cowshed was left behind in the village of Eckardts, eastern Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A woman stands in a wrecked and abandoned villa built in 1900 near Eisenach, eastern Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)