The Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm), located in Alexanderplatz, is the tallest building in Germany, at 368.03 meters, and the main symbol of the capital.
Technical data and architecture:
- Height: 368 meters (originally 365m, as the installation of a new antenna in 1997 slightly increased its height).
- Visiting areas: the observation deck is at 203 meters, and the revolving restaurant is one floor above, at 207 meters.
- Concrete shaft: the tower has a hollow central base made of reinforced concrete, which houses the elevators and staircases.
- The Sphere: the spherical structure was inspired by the Soviet satellite Sputnik and is covered with stainless steel plates.
- Oscillation: on windy days, the top of the tower can oscillate up to 60cm.
History and curiosities:
- Construction: it was erected between 1965 and 1969 by the government of the former East Germany (GDR) as a demonstration of the technological power and efficiency of the socialist system.
- Inauguration: it officially opened on October 3, 1969.
- "The Pope's Revenge": due to the shape of the steel plates, when the sun hits the sphere, the reflection forms a bright cross. At the time, Berliners nicknamed the phenomenon "The Pope's Revenge," an irony directed at the East German socialist government that promoted atheism.
Opening
Open daily from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Between March and October, it usually opens earlier, at 9:00 AM.
Tickets
The standard adult ticket costs from €25.50. There are options that include Virtual Reality (VR) experiences for €32.50.
To avoid the huge queues, it is essential to buy your tickets in advance through the Tower's Official Website.
Gastronomy
The revolving restaurant is called Sphere Tim Raue, offering a menu created by the renowned German chef. The sphere takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete a full rotation.
Address
Alexanderplatz
U2/U5/U8/S3/S5/S7 Alexanderplatz Station
