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Checkpoint Charlie is probably the most famous border crossing in Berlin. Between 1961 and 1990, West Germans and GDR citizens were able to cross here from the Soviet to the American sector and thus from East to West Berlin or Berlin Mitte directly to Kreuzberg.
After the end of the Second World War, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, which were to be administered by the victorious powers of the USA, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union. The establishment of a Control Council in Berlin created four separate sectors in the German capital. From then on, crossing the respective border was only possible with the appropriate authorization, while guard posts, roadblocks and barbed wire obstacles were erected in many places. Almost simultaneously, the disagreements over possible reparations and the differences between communism and capitalism between the Allies and the Soviet Union gave rise to the Cold War. The situation came to a head when the three Western powers merged the previously separate zones and introduced a common currency (D-Mark). Meanwhile, it was no longer just two different social systems that faced each other, but also two currency areas within Berlin. The Soviet Union reacted with the Berlin Blockade, which led to the final division of the city at the end of 1948. While the Allies founded the Federal Republic of Germany in West Germany, the German Democratic Republic was established in the East. And as early as 1952, the GDR began to secure the inner-German border with the help of fences and guard posts in order to prevent the constant migration of almost 3.5 million citizens to the West until 1961. A growing shortage of labor, a growing social gap and increasing economic difficulties in the GDR led to over 3,000 people a day fleeing to the West by the end of 1961. With the aim of securing the western border, the construction of the Berlin Wall began on August 13, 1961, hermetically sealing off the GDR from West Berlin.
Meanwhile, Checkpoint Charlie was set up between August and September 1961 as a checkpoint by the Western Allies in order to move from one sector to the other. From then on, all American, French and British armed forces and their personnel were checked here before their journey to the East. The International Alphabet of Letters was the inspiration for the name. After the Helmstedt-Marienborn (Alpha) and Dreilinden-Drewitz (Bravo) border crossings, there was now a third checkpoint, Checkpoint Charlie, through which the Allies could enter divided Berlin.
While the barrier, control barracks, sandbags and flags at Checkpoint Charlie are still reminders of divided Berlin today, the situation almost escalated in October 1961 when a Soviet and American tank took up positions here. The armored columns only withdrew the next day. Nevertheless, even the American President John F. Kennedy now spoke positively about the construction of the Wall: “A wall is a damn sight better than a war.”
At the same time, the GDR presented the Wall as a security system vis-à-vis the federal government, which was intended to protect against emigration, infiltration, espionage, sabotage, smuggling and aggression from the new West. Nevertheless, there were still numerous attempts to escape from East Berlin.
If you want to find out more about the topic or experience the life of Berliners behind the Wall, you should definitely visit the Blackbox Cold War Museum at Checkpoint Charlie in Friedrichsstraße or the fantastic Trabi Museum in Zimmerstraße. Alternatively, it is also worth using the popular augmented reality app Cold War Berlin to take a virtual look behind the scenes of the checkpoint.
Do you also dream of taking a photo at Checkpoint Charlie or are you interested in the history of the Berlin Wall? Then make sure you plan enough time for a visit to this historic site during your trip to Berlin. While Checkpoint Charlie is within walking distance of Berlin's city center, you can also easily reach this city attraction by train. It's just a 12-minute ride from Moabit Central Station on the U5 and U6 lines. If you want to visit not only the former checkpoint, but also one of the nearby museums such as the Mauermuseum or the Pergamonmuseum and take advantage of the Asisi Panorama, you can also save money with the WelcomeCard Berlin! You can find all the information you need directly on the visitberlin website. From here you can easily reach other sights of the city such as the Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, the famous Alexanderplatz and the nearby TV Tower, the Brandenburg Gate and much more.
Berlin is simply something special. It's not just a place where the proverbial bear is dancing, but where history is brought to life. At the same time, the lively metropolis on the River Spree delights visitors with a breathtaking range of sights, first-class museums, excellent restaurants and plenty of flair.
To make the most of your time in Berlin, it's worth booking a suitable hotel in the city in good time. Get to know the numerous, comfortable B&B Hotels Berlin on our website and choose a hotel that suits your travel ideas. For example, how about a single, double or shared room with a private bathroom at the Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz?
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Last but not least, our competent service team will be happy to help you plan any excursions, help you rent a car or provide you with fantastic insider tips!
