Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie, in Berlin

Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous former crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin, a symbol of the Cold War. The Berlin audio-guided tour stops here, with respect for its history, to evoke this emblematic place of the divided town.

The famous border post of the Cold War

Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous of the control posts between the two Berlins, during the Cold War. Reserved notably for foreigners, diplomats and Allied military, it became a symbol of the division of the town and the East-West tensions. It is here that, in 1961, Soviet and American tanks faced each other in a confrontation that raised fears of a conflict. Today, a reconstruction of the sentry box, a plaque and a famous sign warning that you are leaving the American sector recall this past. Very frequented, surrounded by museums on the Wall and the Cold War, Checkpoint Charlie is a major place of memory, which you discover while keeping in mind its grave history.

What to see

Here you discover the reconstruction of the sentry box, the plaque and the famous sign of the American sector, vestiges of the most famous border post between the two Berlins, where Soviet and American tanks faced each other in 1961, surrounded by museums on the Wall. Checkpoint Charlie is a major place of memory. It is a stop to be discovered while keeping in mind its history.

Practical information

Checkpoint Charlie lies on the Friedrichstraße, in the centre of Berlin, on the former route of the wall, reachable on foot and by public transport. It is an open-air site freely accessible; the surrounding museums follow their own hours. The place is very frequented; it is best to keep in mind the historic and grave character of this place.

What was Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin?

The most famous control post between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War, reserved notably for foreigners and the Allies, a symbol of the division of the town, where Soviet and American tanks faced each other in 1961.

Where is Checkpoint Charlie?

On the Friedrichstraße, in the centre of Berlin, in Germany.