Probably the most exciting tourism stories are those in which some architectural pieces changed their purpose and became must-see attractions of the city or the country.
Precisely that happened with the Berlin TV tower.
Little History of the Tv Tower in Berlin
The story about the tower started in the early 50s when the GDR was planning to build a facility to transmit the television signal.
After discussing the best position for building it, the TV tower owes its location to a fully independent planning initiative – after the Berlin Palace’s detonation and the wish to create a new architectural icon for their contemporary society.
After rejecting other plans, the authorities merged two earlier initiatives. They had an idea to make the television tower in Berlin Mitte, not the Berliner Sclossplatz, right next to the Alexanderplatz.
In 1969, the TV tower was put into operation, and after the reunification of Germany in 1990, it instantly became a symbol of Berlin as a whole and one of the most popular city attractions.
That popularity remains these days also. It attracts more than a million people annually and is equally attractive to foreign tourists and Berliners.
Is it a space rocket?
Its unique architecture is what, besides the magnificent view, attracts the most.
Once you come closer to the building, it resembles a space rocket, and the original design came from the East German architect Hermann Henselmann.
He indeed had the vision to make a piece that should remind of the Soviet Sputnik satellite, coloured in red – the colour of socialism.
Construction gave some headaches to the engineers, especially with mounting the sphere in place at an altitude of 200 metres.
They finally resolved it with a decision on an univalve construction of a steel skeleton for the sphere.
That segment was prefabricated on the ground and hauled up by cranes – attached to the spherical platform that marks the concrete shaft’s end.
Then, it was suspended on tension ropes, making it appear floating.
The lifts, the top and the view
In 1996, getting to the top of the tower became quicker.
The lifts were replaced, and it has taken just 40 seconds since then.
Since we’re mentioning getting on the top, visitors’ most frequently asked question is about how much the wind is bringing the tower to vibrate.
And the answer is – barely noticeable, so if you’re planning to visit the TV tower, don’t worry.
This interesting architectural piece offers the most spectacular views of Berlin and its surroundings.
Landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, Olympiastadion and Charlottenburg Palace.
You can enjoy lunch or dinner in the tower’s restaurant – it’s something you should try!
Alexanderplatz
Park Inn Alexanderplatz
A charming four-star hotel ideally situated at Alexanderplatz in Berlin.
Berlin’s tallest hotel with panoramic views of Berlin and the Christmas markets at the Town Hall, Alexanderplatz, and TV Tower (der Fehrnsehnturm).
It also has a beautiful spa area.