Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany

Checkpoint Charlie (or 'Checkpoint C') was the name given by the Western Allies to the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War.

GDR leader Walter Ulbricht agitated and maneuvered to get the Soviet Union's permission for the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 to stop Eastern Bloc emigration westward through the Soviet border system, preventing escape across the city sector border from East Berlin to West Berlin. Checkpoint Charlie became a symbol of the Cold War, representing the separation of East and West. Soviet and American tanks briefly faced each other at the location during the Berlin Crisis of 1961.

After the dissolution of the Eastern Bloc and the reunification of Germany, the building at Checkpoint Charlie became a tourist attraction. It is now located in the Allied Museum in the Dahlem neighborhood of Berlin.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Jacky Lim (5 years ago)
Listed as one of the places of interest in Berlin, we reached but found out that it is just a very small checkpoint. You can take some photos there but it is surrounded by all the modern buildings. Nothing much and not really recommended to visit unless you have time to spare.

Juan Pimentel (5 years ago)
Nice classic place to visit but not so interested.

Shelley (5 years ago)
Historic, for sure, so it’s worth a trip (and it’s conveniently located right at the subway). There are a few souvenir shops and walls with photos worth perusing but it won’t take too much time, this is not an all-day thing. One thing I wish Berlin hadn’t allowed is all the fast food places nearby. Takes you out of the historic Berlin experience. And it’s almost impossible to get a good photo without KFC in the background :(

Harshita Tiwari (5 years ago)
Mind that its just a board and check box on the road, so don't plan a whole day or even few hours for this unless you wanna eat in the restaurants around or visit the museum. Definitely a Berlin icon. The overall feel is great and historic. Good photo point and not crowded on weekdays

Yazan Alsaif (5 years ago)
A great place of interest for all the visitors of Berlin. It marks the line where the American area and influence ends while the Russian area begins. It is being taken care of and you'll find many tourists even during this period of the pandemic. Make sure to check the surroundings since the walls are filled with pictures about great moments in history.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.

Checkpoint Charlie

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix