Not so long ago in a city not so far away, a wall was built which divided the city. Only one crossing could be used by foreigners to cross from the Western part of the city to the Eastern part and vice versa. That city was Berlin. Checkpoint Charlie was the only crossing on the Berlin Wall.
Nowadays, the original pieces of Checkpoint Charlie have long been removed and (oddly) by popular demand have been brought back for tourists to gawp at. As a former resident of Communist Eastern Europe , I fail to see the funny side but appreciate peoples curiosity at what they could never experience - especially given the near legendary-status of Checkpoint Charlie.
There's also an excellent wall display of the history of Communism in Eastern Europe and the role that the Berlin Wall, with all its symbolism, played during the time of the Soviet Union. All told, in Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie is a must see.
Berlin - 11 great things to do - What not to miss in the German capital Berlin
Berlin - Potsdamer Platz - Potsdamer Platz bahnhof and Ritz Carlton hotel in Berlin by night
Berlin - Brandenburg Gate - Soldier poses for photographs in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
Berlin - where to eat - Recommended places to eat in the German capital Berlin
Berlin - Schloss Charlottenburg - Schloss Charlottenburg the largest Palace in the German capital Berlin
Potsdam - Schloss Sans Souci - Schloss Sans Souci in Potsdam near Berlin
Germany - Travel information from around Germany
Germany pictures - A gallery of pictures from my travels in Germany
Ulm - a day trip - Notes from a day trip to Ulm in the German state of Baden-Wüttermburg
Weekend in Münster - Travelogue from a weekend in Münster in North-Rhine Westfalia, Germany
Visit Berlin - Official website of the Berlin Tourism Board
Name: | Checkpoint Charlie |
Address: | Friedrichstrasse 43-45, 10117 Berlin, Germany |
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook