The Radio Tower / Funkturm was Berlin’s very first broadcasting tower. It is located close to both Berlin fair ground (Berlin Messe) and ‘House of Broadcasting‘ (Haus des Rundfunks). The tower was inaugurated on 3 September 1926 on the opening of the third ‘Great German Radio Exhibition’ (Große Deutsche Funkausstellung).
With a total height of approximately 150 meters the Radio Tower is a rather small tower, at least compared to TV-Tower with its total height of 368 meters. But in contrast to TV-Tower, you can actually go to a ‘second’ open air observation deck – an experience that can be both: exciting and a bit scary.
Berlin Radio Tower Funkturm in blue – Festival of Lightslights-festival – Photo: T.Bortels
Looking East, the view from the observation deck is a rather typical ‘West Berlin View’ – and if you happen to know the movie ‘Wings of Desire‘ (‘Himmel über Berlin‘, 1987, Wim Wenders) then you might actually know the view towards the city center / autobahn from the opening scene.
To the West / South-West you can see the forest Grunewald, crowned by the former US American spy station – or actually NSA listening station on top of Teufelsberg. The long straight road you may notice, beginning almost at the foot of the Radio Tower / at the intersection to ICC, is the AVUS (‘Automobil-Verkehrs- und Übungsstraße’), opened in 1921 and until 1998 also used as a motor racing circuit.
Radio Tower / Funkturm – Photo: T.Bortels
Opening hours
The observation deck is open on Mondays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
and Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Admission fee / Tickets for visiting the observation deck
Ticket prices: Observation Deck: 5,00 Euros / Restaurant 3,00 Euros
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Berlin Radio Tower / Funkturm is probably by S-Bahn Messe Nord / ICC.
see also:
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