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Berlin (dpa / bb) - The renovation work on the ferris wheel from the Spreepark in Berlin-Treptow has started.
On Friday morning the first of the 40 gondolas of the 45 meter high Ferris wheel were dismantled.
By the evening, all gondolas should be removed, as Grün Berlin GmbH announced.
Then it is the turn of the 40 spokes, 8 masts and the wreath.
The parts are to be dismantled piece by piece with three cranes.
The dismantling should be completed by March 1st.
The parts will then be examined and refurbished from 2023.
Larger parts should be x-rayed.
The estimated cost of the renovation: four million euros.
The red Ferris wheel can be seen from the Spree and, according to Grün Berlin, was built as the successor to a smaller construction in 1989 shortly before the end of the GDR.
Why is the 220 ton wheel being renovated?
That has something to do with identity, said managing director Christoph Schmidt at a press conference.
When the citizens were questioned, it became clear how much the heart is attached to the ferris wheel.
Dealing with the special features of this place must be careful.
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The Ferris wheel is expected to turn again in 2024, when the core area of the park is to be opened.
It should then shine in new splendor: Illuminated by contemporary light art, designed by artists and engineers.
The first drafts are to be presented this year.
Which changes would still be made was initially open.
What is certain, however, is that guests will be welcomed again in the next year in the “Eierhäuschen” restaurant.
Artist residencies are also planned there.
Millions of GDR citizens made a pilgrimage to the Treptow district to have fun.
The «Plänterwald cultural park» was the only large amusement park in the east.
It was opened in 1969 on the 20th birthday of the republic.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the restart of a fairground operator with millions in investments ended in chaos.
Not much was left of the rides from the GDR.
In 2001 the park was closed, the operator was bankrupt and went to Peru with a few carousels.
The area was falling into disrepair.
In 2014 the Berlin Liegenschaftsfonds bought back the Spreepark.
Since then, the new start has been tinkering with.
New Spreepark