Cold War Walking Tour of Berlin
Berlin
This guided Berlin walking tour will show you the battleground of the military conflict between the western world and the communist world. W...
€20 | Rating 4.89 / 5 [578 ratings]
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Bucket list experience:
Wall Museum – Checkpoint Charlie
Credit Shutterstock.com/Mistervlad
Last updated: 16 December, 2022
With its grim border guards and ominous sign – ‘You Are Now Leaving The American Sector’ – Checkpoint Charlie put the world on edge when Allied and Soviet tanks faced off for a few nail-biting days in October 1961. It was the recognised crossing point for the infamous Berlin Wall, which symbolised more than anything else the West’s ‘Cold War’ with the Soviet Union from 1947-1991. For a small and fairly non-descript site, it has enormous historical significance that will lives long in the realms of history.
Today, a cramped but compelling museum there tells the history of the Wall and the rickety tunnels, home-made aircraft, reinforced cars and mini-subs people used to attempt escape to freedom from East Germany – efforts that more often than not ended in heartbreaking tragedy. There are some good documentary clips too.
For a couple of Euros you can pose with a mock guard at the replica border booth and get your passport stamped with a pre-1989 visa.
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Destination Guide >Price from: £12
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
Take line 6 of the U-Bahn to Kochstrasse and walk 150m north along Friedrichstrasse.
Audio guides are available on site for a small fee. One-hour group and individual guided tours are also possible by prior appointment. There is also a series short films that run in the morning.
When to do it
It’s open all year round, seven days a week.
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