Wall revives memories of Berlin in German village

"If these rulers believe that they need a wall to protect themselves and freedom, then freedom doesn't have a very bright future," added Schaedel, who is also a demonstration coordinator and expects up to 100,000 protesters in the town in June.

Other residents are uncomfortable about the fence that will isolate their village from the world for several days. They have been told they can come and go with passes -- and guests must register to be admitted.

"This definitely reminds me of the Wall," said Siegfried Massopust, a retired office worker, watching cement foundations being prepared next to a patrol track. "It's over the top. All the cost and trouble they're going through is totally out of line."

Heiligendamm, Germany's oldest Baltic resort, is striving to restore a reputation as an elegant holiday and summer destination for high society after falling into disrepair during the communist era.

It was first used for sea-bathing in 1793 by the Grand Duke Frederick Francis I, on the advice of his doctor. President George W. Bush briefly visited last year.

During the Nazi era, Heiligendamm was a popular resort often used by Adolf Hitler. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini also came along as did top Nazis Hermann Goering and Joseph Goebbels.

DEFENDING FENCE

Local officials defend the new temporary fence and dismiss comparisons with the Berlin Wall.

"I grew up in communist East Germany and I don't think you can compare this to the Berlin Wall," said Axel Falkenberg, police spokesman coordinating the summit. "Everyone who knows what East Germany was like would tell you this is different."

Frank Neumann, head of the fencing firm that has 15 weeks to put up the barrier, said he was delighted to get the biggest order in his company's 16-year history.

"It would have been a bad situation if some other company from outside got the contract," said Neumann.

He also dismissed comparisons with the Berlin Wall.

"Everyone knows that this fence will be taken down after the summit is over," Neumann said.

The 500 tonnes of steel needed for the barrier was enough to build a ship, he said. To discourage anyone from trying to tunnel beneath it, construction workers have rammed 50-cm (20-inch) long steel grating into the ground.