The famous columns of the Bandenburger Tor have been shining in special colors since mid-September. The reason for this is a spraying attack by the activists of the last generation – as has now become known, the cleaning will now take even more time than expected.
Berlin Real Estate Management (BIM) announced on Thursday that costs will also increase. “Due to the water content, the color mixture penetrated deeper into the sandstone than initially assumed,” a spokeswoman said.
Costs in the six-figure range
They even expect an amount “in the six figures” – it was previously said that the damage would amount to around 35,000 euros. The removal is expected to take several weeks. The paint mixture that Last Generation activists sprayed on the world-famous Brandenburg Gate in protest on September 17 was also intensively examined by laboratory experts.
While it was initially unclear from which substance the paint was made, it is now clear that the substance has penetrated even deeper into the sandstone than expected due to the high water content, the Tagesspiegel reports.
Sandstone literally absorbed color
The Brandenburg Gate absorbs the color mixture differently – it is not made of the same sandstone everywhere. The monument was thoroughly renovated between 1913 and 1926, 1990 and 1991 and between 2001 and 2022. The older places on the columns in particular are more sensitive to the dye used.
A laser may be required for cleaning
The BIM now checks whether special lasers are used for the removal. For the cleaning work already planned, the gate must in any case be covered in scaffolding and care must be taken to ensure that the product resulting from the cleaning is completely collected: “None of it ends up in the waste water,” they say.
The spokeswoman explained that they now want to file civil damages claims against the Last Generation. The police are also investigating criminal damage to property.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
