Happy Birthday: Berlin's TV tower turns 55
Berlin's TV Tower was dedicated in central East Berlin in October, 1969. Today, it’s a city landmark and highly popular attraction of Germany’s reunified capital.
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00:00You might catch a glimpse of the TV Tower as you approach Berlin and you'll definitely
00:05come across it time and time again during your visit to the city.
00:10The view from the top is spectacular.
00:13But Berlin's TV Tower has a lot more to offer than just the viewpoint.
00:17What exactly?
00:18Let's go take a look.
00:20The TV Tower is located in the heart of the city, Alexanderplatz.
00:25You can easily get there by tram, bus, S-Bahn and U-Bahn.
00:29So today I'm treating myself to the premium deluxe ticket.
00:35My ticket has three components.
00:37For the first, I have access to two virtual reality videos about the history of Berlin
00:42and the construction of the TV Tower.
00:48OK, the images are pretty incredible.
00:58The computer-generated video is really impressive.
01:03And it really makes me want to learn more about the TV Tower.
01:19So let's head up to the upper foyer.
01:21It has the 1960s design typical of East Berlin.
01:25You can learn more about the Tower's history here too.
01:29The TV Tower was built in the 1960s by the East German government.
01:33The Tower wasn't only intended to transmit radio and television signals, but as a landmark
01:39for the new socialist Berlin.
01:42It opened on October 3rd, 1969, after only four years of construction.
01:47That's 55 years ago.
01:51On the elevator, I meet a real Berliner.
01:55Elevator operator Sven Thom.
02:00Sven Thom has been working at the TV Tower for 35 years.
02:08Every day is like taking a trip around the world for him.
02:10He meets tourists from all over the globe, and even some celebrities.
02:16In the early 2000s, we closed the Tower for the Dutch royal family, Queen Beatrix and
02:21Prince Willem-Alexander and Maxima.
02:24Did you meet them?
02:26Unfortunately, I didn't have them in my elevator, but I did have some members of court.
02:31And they were really fun.
02:33I could listen to Sven's stories all day.
02:37But I really want to get to the top and enjoy the view.
02:42If you dare, look up through the glass roof when you're in the elevator.
02:50My ride ends on the observation deck, 203 meters high.
02:55I can see the whole city below me.
03:07The big city suddenly seems somewhat small.
03:12You'll find these QR codes everywhere, so you can download an app which tells you which
03:16building you are looking at.
03:18In this case, it's the Berlin Cathedral.
03:22The app also provides information about the history and architecture.
03:27So I've already checked out two of the three components of my premium deluxe ticket, the
03:33virtual reality experience and now the observation deck.
03:37For the third, I get a drink at the highest bar in the city.
03:46I order a non-alcoholic cocktail and it looks really tasty.
03:53The restaurant is located one floor above the observation deck.
03:57The special thing about it is that it rotates.
04:00It does two rounds in an hour.
04:02So you pass all the sites several times, depending how long you stay.
04:08The restaurant is currently being renovated and will reopen with a new look in the middle
04:12of 2025.
04:14So there's always something new happening at this old TV tower.
04:18And that was my tour of the Berlin TV tower.
04:21So what do you reckon?
04:22Worth the trip?
04:23Would you come up here yourself?