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See Berlin in bird’s-eye view from a 60s Communist landmark
Review by Vincent Alblas
You can’t miss the television tower when you’re in Berlin. With its 368 meters it soars over the Alexanderplatz and its surroundings. Built by the government of the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR), it was destined to become not only a transmitter for television signals, but also a monument that had to show the world how mighty and great the communist countries were.
Building works on the television tower commenced in 1965 and lasted for four years. The inauguration celebrations were held on the 7th of October 1969. The big structure can be seen from almost every part of the city and its monumental status is nowadays being recognized even by the biggest GDR hater (which doesn’t necessarily means that everybody considers the tower a beauty).
My experience
Initially I didn’t really want to recommend the television tower, for which were two reasons. First of all there’s always a big line, which means you have to wait up to 2.5 hours before you can go up to the 203 meters high observation platform. Secondly, the entrance fee of € 10 is one of the highest of any tourist attraction in Berlin (it’s still damn cheap though if you compare it with entrance fees for tourist attractions in cities like London and Paris). So initially I wasn’t going to write this review at all, until I actually forced myself to stand one hour in line, buy a ticket, and step into that elevator. After that, I implored myself to reconsider.
Listen people, cities are so incredibly awesome if you see them from the sky that they should have a television tower, Eiffel Tower or London Eye in every city around the globe. Seeing all the monuments, streets, office towers, residential buildings and tiny people from a height of 203 meters gives you a complete new frame of reference, especially if you actually realize how big the big cities of this world are.
I think it’s an utter joy watching the Berlin traffic from above, and to see so many people making their way to the Brandenburg Gate, Berliner Dom, the museums on the Museum Island, Hackescher Markt, and all the other sights you can distinguish from such a height.
You won’t be disappointed if you’re prepared to queue a while and to pay € 10 to see a miniature city of some 3.5 million people doing what it has always been doing: drinking, laughing, fighting, loving, hating, and sleeping.
Hot tip
Want to spend some quality time with your loved ones? There’s a restaurant on 207 meters high (making a reservation is necessary). If you just want to have a drink: there is also a bar on the observation platform, for which you don’t need to make a reservation.
Directions
Walk to the tram stop next to the Forum Landsberger Allee shopping mall, which is only a minute away from the Generator Berlin. Take the M5 or M6 tram in the direction of Schwarzkopfstrasse or Hackescher Markt. Get off at Alexanderplatz/Gontardstrasse. This stop is right next to the television tower.
More info
Visit the official website www.tv-turm.de for more information.
Opening hours: March till October from 9am until midnight; november till February from 10am until midnight.
Entrance fee: € 10,-.
Address: Panoramastrasse 1A, Berlin, Germany.
