Happy Birthday: Berlin's iconic TV tower turns 55

DW (English)

Berlin's TV Tower was dedicated in central East Berlin in October, 1969. Today, it's a city landmark and highly popular attraction of Germany's reunified capital.

Transcript

00:00You might catch a glimpse of the TV Tower as you approach Berlin and you'll definitely

00:05come across it time and time again during your visit to the city.

00:10The view from the top is spectacular.

00:13But Berlin's TV Tower has a lot more to offer than just the viewpoint.

00:17What exactly?

00:18Let's go take a look.

00:20The TV Tower is located in the heart of the city, Alexanderplatz.

00:25You can easily get there by tram, bus, S-Bahn and U-Bahn.

00:29So today I'm treating myself to the premium deluxe ticket.

00:35My ticket has three components.

00:37For the first, I have access to two virtual reality videos about the history of Berlin

00:42and the construction of the TV Tower.

00:48OK, the images are pretty incredible.

00:58The computer-generated video is really impressive.

01:03And it really makes me want to learn more about the TV Tower.

01:19So let's head up to the upper foyer.

01:21It has the 1960s design typical of East Berlin.

01:25You can learn more about the Tower's history here too.

01:29The TV Tower was built in the 1960s by the East German government.

01:33The Tower wasn't only intended to transmit radio and television signals, but as a landmark

01:39for the new socialist Berlin.

01:42It opened on October 3rd, 1969, after only four years of construction.

01:47That's 55 years ago.

01:51On the elevator, I meet a real Berliner.

01:55Elevator operator Sven Thom.

02:00Sven Thom has been working at the TV Tower for 35 years.

02:08Every day is like taking a trip around the world for him.

02:10He meets tourists from all over the globe, and even some celebrities.

02:16In the early 2000s, we closed the Tower for the Dutch royal family, Queen Beatrix and

02:21Prince Willem-Alexander and Maxima.

02:24Did you meet them?

02:26Unfortunately, I didn't have them in my elevator, but I did have some members of court.

02:31And they were really fun.

02:33I could listen to Sven's stories all day.

02:37But I really want to get to the top and enjoy the view.

02:42If you dare, look up through the glass roof when you're in the elevator.

02:50My ride ends on the observation deck, 203 meters high.

02:55I can see the whole city below me.

03:07The big city suddenly seems somewhat small.

03:12You'll find these QR codes everywhere, so you can download an app which tells you which

03:16building you are looking at.

03:18In this case, it's the Berlin Cathedral.

03:22The app also provides information about the history and architecture.

03:27So I've already checked out two of the three components of my premium deluxe ticket, the

03:33virtual reality experience and now the observation deck.

03:37For the third, I get a drink at the highest bar in the city.

03:46I order a non-alcoholic cocktail and it looks really tasty.

03:53The restaurant is located one floor above the observation deck.

03:57The special thing about it is that it rotates.

04:00It does two rounds in an hour.

04:02So you pass all the sites several times, depending how long you stay.

04:08The restaurant is currently being renovated and will reopen with a new look in the middle

04:12of 2025.

04:14So there's always something new happening at this old TV tower.

04:18And that was my tour of the Berlin TV tower.

04:21So what do you reckon?

04:22Worth the trip?

04:23Would you come up here yourself?

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