Fernsehturm (TV Tower), Berlin (must see)
The Berlin Television Tower was built by East Germany in the late 1960s. Inaugurated on October 3, 1969, it is the tallest structure in Germany and the third-tallest in the European Union.
Designated as a monument in 1979, the tower attracts around 1.2 million visitors annually and is one of Germany鈥檚 top tourist attractions. It has an observation deck at 203 meters and the rotating restaurant 鈥淪phere鈥� at 207 meters, offering panoramic views of the city, extending up to 40 kilometers (or 25 miles) on a clear day.
The tower鈥檚 height increased from 365 to 368 meters in 1997 after a new antenna was added, making it the fourth tallest free-standing structure in Europe, surpassed only by Moscow's Ostankino Tower and TV towers in Kiev and Riga. If you have a mild fear of heights, fear not鈥攖he elevator whisks you to the top in a mere 40 seconds. You can also opt for a more adventurous ascent via 985 steps.
Inside, enjoy the authentic Sputnik-era ambiance complete with period-appropriate decor and finishes. If you have specific dietary preferences, particularly as a vegetarian, it's advisable to peruse the restaurant menu on their website before making a reservation. The dining experience itself is quite lovely otherwise, comprising a starter, main course, and dessert, plus a glass of sparkling wine and two glasses of red or white wine, along with unlimited water. Moreover, the restaurant rotates slowly, affording you a comprehensive view of Berlin, making it an ideal setting for photography. A full rotation takes about half an hour, offering ample opportunity to capture the city from a bird's-eye perspective while sipping a coffee.
Presently dubbed "the toothpick" by locals, the tower previously earned the nickname 鈥淧ope鈥檚 Revenge鈥� because sunlight reflecting off its dome forms a Greek cross, which some saw as a rebuke to East Germany鈥檚 anti-religious stance, and was mentioned by the former US president Ronald Reagan in his 1987 鈥淭ear down this wall鈥� speech. For the same reasons, it was also jokingly called "Saint Walter" after Walter Ulbricht, leader of the Socialist Unity Party which governed East Germany.
Originally a symbol of Communist power, the TV tower is now a unified Berlin landmark and a cultural and tourist icon, hosting events like the Festival of Lights.
Designated as a monument in 1979, the tower attracts around 1.2 million visitors annually and is one of Germany鈥檚 top tourist attractions. It has an observation deck at 203 meters and the rotating restaurant 鈥淪phere鈥� at 207 meters, offering panoramic views of the city, extending up to 40 kilometers (or 25 miles) on a clear day.
The tower鈥檚 height increased from 365 to 368 meters in 1997 after a new antenna was added, making it the fourth tallest free-standing structure in Europe, surpassed only by Moscow's Ostankino Tower and TV towers in Kiev and Riga. If you have a mild fear of heights, fear not鈥攖he elevator whisks you to the top in a mere 40 seconds. You can also opt for a more adventurous ascent via 985 steps.
Inside, enjoy the authentic Sputnik-era ambiance complete with period-appropriate decor and finishes. If you have specific dietary preferences, particularly as a vegetarian, it's advisable to peruse the restaurant menu on their website before making a reservation. The dining experience itself is quite lovely otherwise, comprising a starter, main course, and dessert, plus a glass of sparkling wine and two glasses of red or white wine, along with unlimited water. Moreover, the restaurant rotates slowly, affording you a comprehensive view of Berlin, making it an ideal setting for photography. A full rotation takes about half an hour, offering ample opportunity to capture the city from a bird's-eye perspective while sipping a coffee.
Presently dubbed "the toothpick" by locals, the tower previously earned the nickname 鈥淧ope鈥檚 Revenge鈥� because sunlight reflecting off its dome forms a Greek cross, which some saw as a rebuke to East Germany鈥檚 anti-religious stance, and was mentioned by the former US president Ronald Reagan in his 1987 鈥淭ear down this wall鈥� speech. For the same reasons, it was also jokingly called "Saint Walter" after Walter Ulbricht, leader of the Socialist Unity Party which governed East Germany.
Originally a symbol of Communist power, the TV tower is now a unified Berlin landmark and a cultural and tourist icon, hosting events like the Festival of Lights.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Fernsehturm (TV Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Fernsehturm (TV Tower)
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Berlin, Germany
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Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
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