The Berlin TV tower is one of the few buildings in the style of socialist realism that survived after the reunification of Germany. Today it is the most popular attraction in Berlin, which is visited annually by more than a million people.
General information
The Berlin TV Tower is Germany’s tallest building (368 meters and 147 floors) and the fourth tallest structure in Europe. Since the attraction is located near the Alexanderplatz station, locals often refer to it as the “Alex Tower”.
Another name is known – “Revenge of the Pope”. It is connected with the fact that when the sun shines on the ball, an image of the cross appears on it (and, as you know, there was no God in the socialist countries). For the same reason, the tower was often called the Memorial Church of St. Ulrich (German politician).
The Berlin Tower is on the 10th place in the list of the most popular attractions in Germany, because more than a million people visit it annually.
It is interesting that the Berlin Tower, like many other famous buildings in Germany, annually takes part in the festival of lights: for four days in October, residents and guests of the city can observe unusual lighting on city buildings. The best lighting artists create colorful 3D shows that are broadcast on famous city buildings. Usually these mini-performances are held in honor of the national holidays of Germany, or in honor of sporting events.
Story
The construction of the Berlin Tower began in 1965. The authorities for a long time chose a place for construction, because it was important that the tower not only fulfill its direct functions, but also became a symbol of Berlin. As a result, we stopped at the metropolitan area of Mitte.
Work went quickly: in October they had just begun laying the foundation, and already in March 1966, the base of the tower was completely concreted. A year later, the building “grew” to 100 meters.
On June 16, 1967, the construction of a concrete structure (weighing more than 26,000 tons) was fully completed. Another year was spent on the manufacture and installation of the ball, which today houses the restaurant and observation deck.
In February 1969, the authorities faced a serious problem: water got into the inside of the tower ball, which led to the depressurization of the object. Restoration work lasted several more months, but in October 1969 a new city landmark was inaugurated.
According to economists, the country has spent more than 132 million marks on the construction of a television tower.
In 1979, the attraction turned into a category of monuments, and ceased to be an ordinary television tower.
Interestingly, after the unification of the FRG and the GDR, many Germans demanded to destroy the tower. However, the authorities considered this to be wrong, and invested another 50 million marks in the modernization of the tall television tower in Berlin.
What’s inside
The observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 207 m, is recognized as the most popular in Berlin. It is interesting that in good weather you can see from it buildings located at a distance of 35-40 km from the Berlin TV tower.
From a bird’s eye view, Berlin takes from 15 to 30 minutes. Tourists say that this time is more than enough to enjoy the views and have time to take a photo from the TV tower in Berlin.
“Bar 203” is located on the same tier. Here you can try a variety of drinks, and have a good evening. Tourists note that for some items in the menu, prices in the bar are higher than in the restaurant.
Restaurant Sphere, located at the top of the TV tower, can be visited from 9.00 to 00.00. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant has 50 tables. Please note that not all of them are near panoramic windows.
Breakfast can be of three types:
- Continental (10.5 euros) consists of two rolls, sausage, ham, jam, butter, honey and cheese.
- Sports (12.5 euros). This includes a continental breakfast + yogurt, granola, orange and apple.
- Berlin (14.5 euros) consists of a sports breakfast + glasses of champagne and orange juice.
The choice of lunch dishes is much wider. For example:
| Dish | Cost (Euro) |
|---|---|
| German veal liver | fifteen |
| Fried pike perch with smoked tomatoes | 18.5 |
| Mashed potatoes with apples and a slice of beef | 12 |
The evening menu is very diverse. Prices range from 13 to 40 euros per dish.
Do not eat too fast: a ball makes a complete revolution around its axis in 60 minutes, which means that it takes exactly an hour to see the whole panorama of Berlin.
Tourists who have visited the Sphere restaurant are advised to definitely visit this place. Although the prices here are quite high, it is unlikely that somewhere in the German capital you will find a cafe or restaurant with the same beautiful view of the city.
Every day from 19.00 to 23.00 live music is played in the institution.
Practical information
- Location: Gontardstrabe, 7, Berlin, Germany.
- Opening hours: 9.00 – 00.00 (March – October), 10.00 – 00.00 (November – February).
- Cost of visit (Euro):
| Types of tickets | Adult | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Lark (from 9.00 to 12.00) | thirteen | 8.5 |
| Midnight (from 9 p.m. to midnight) | fifteen | 10 |
| Speed | 19.5 | 12 |
| VIP | 23 | fifteen |
A high-speed ticket involves advance booking. Since there are a lot of people who want to go to the TV tower in Berlin, the lines at the ticket office are always long. If you book a ticket in advance, there will be no need to defend a large queue.
A VIP ticket also involves earlier booking via the Internet and includes a number of advantages. For example, if you come to have a bite to eat at the Sphere restaurant, you will definitely be provided with one of the best tables by the panoramic window.
All tickets can be purchased either on the official website of the Berlin TV Tower (there, also look for information on booking tables in a restaurant and bar), or at the box office in Berlin.
Official website: www.tv-turm.de
Prices and schedules are for June 2019.
Useful Tips
- Please note that the last climb to the TV tower is at 23.30, and you can enter the restaurant no later than 23.00.
- Beloved ones can register their relationship directly at the TV tower in Berlin. After the wedding, you can also rent a bar (the highest in Germany) for 60 minutes.
- Remember that even if you are just heading to a restaurant and are not going to go up to the observation deck, you still have to buy a ticket to the Berlin Tower.
- Book tables in the restaurant in advance, because the place is very popular.
- Every Sunday (from 9.00 to 12.00) a buffet is served in the restaurant. The price for one person is 38 euros.
- You can buy gifts and postcards with photos of the Berlin TV tower in a souvenir shop.
The Berlin TV Tower is the most famous landmark of old Berlin, which everyone, despite the long lines, is worth a visit.
The process of acquiring a ticket to the Berlin Tower and options for original souvenirs:
