About The Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie

This is the site of great division, and great unification for Germany. It speaks to a history scarred by war. Where Germany was once divided between Communist East Germany and West Germany by the Berlin Wall, now stands the Memorial of the Berlin Wall. Here you’ll see the last remaining remnants of the wall and watchtower. The open air exhibition and visitor’s centre provide a chilling account of those who tried and died — as well as those who succeeded — passing over or under the wall to freedom. It tells the story of GDR soldier Conrad Schumann, who jumped over the barbed wire to get to freedom, and the escape tunnels to freedom under the wall. Don’t miss this moving insight into an important period in Germamy’s modern history.

This checkpoint Charlie was the only place where foreigners visiting Berlin could cross from West to East and back again. East German troops who guarded this point had instructions to shoot anyone trying to illegally cross over from East Berlin into West Berlin. Many East Berliners were killed, trying to escape by climbing the wall. In response to this, the Americans built their own three checkpoints. A was Checkpoint Alpha, B was Checkpoint Bravo and Checkpoint C was Checkpoint Charlie. Checkpoint Charlie was the only checkpoint from where diplomatic personnel, American military and non-German visitors could go to East Berlin. The American checkpoints were mainly there to inform people that once they crossed the checkpoint into East Berlin, they were no longer in a democratic society. It was occasionally used for prisoner swaps. When the Berlin Wall came down in June 1990, “Checkpoint Charlie” was officially closed after nearly 30 years.

Must See

  • Checkpoint Charlie Museum
  • Open air exhibition
  • Chapel of reconciliation

How to reach

Underground U Kochstr./Checkpoint Charlie U6 0.1km  Bus U Kochstr./Checkpoint Charlie N6/M29 0.1km  U Stadtmitte/Krausenstr.  265 0.2km Berlin, Charlottenstr.  M29 0.2km

Tips

  • You have to pay for photographs if you take one with people dressed as guards at Charlie point
  • Stroll down the road to get a feel of  Charlie point
  • Bakeries and restaurants are available here
  • Wear shades if the weather is very hot
  • Evening will be cooler to visit this place
  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing
  • The wall is preserved by the government and is a must-visit the place
  • A place of historical and architectural significance which is worth a visit
  • You can live oral histories through the paintings and videos
  • Stay hydrated as you may have to walk a bit
  • Museum provides insight into the years of its existence
  • A place where you can listen to the stories and relax

Visit Time

Sunday:       Open 24 hours.
Monday:       Open 24 hours.
Tuesday:      Open 24 hours.
Wednesday: Open 24 hours.
Thursday:     Open 24 hours.
Friday:          Open 24 hours.
Saturday:      Open 24 hours.

 

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

1 hour to 2 hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Few Clouds 15.99°C

 

Local Services in Berlin (Contact directly)

Discussion

No threads yet!

Be the first one to start a thread.

Top Attractions in Berlin

Top Cities in Germany