Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Historic site · Berlim, Berlim
Checkpoint Charlie
The former checkpoint between the American and Soviet sectors on Friedrichstraße, scene of the 1961 tank standoff. Today there is a replica of the guardhouse and panels about the history.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was one of the crossing points along the Berlin Wall between 1961 and 1990. It was located on Friedrichstraße and linked the Soviet sector in East Berlin to the American sector in the Kreuzberg neighborhood. It was used by Allied military personnel, diplomats and foreigners, and the name comes from the letter C in the NATO phonetic alphabet.
In October 1961, a few weeks after the Wall was built, American and Soviet tanks faced each other there for several days, in one of the tensest moments of the Cold War. The post was also the scene of escapes and prisoner exchanges.
The guardhouse you see today is a replica, with sandbags and the sign that warned in four languages that you were leaving the American sector. Along the street, outdoor panels tell the story of the site. Nearby are the Mauermuseum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, a private museum about the escapes, and other exhibitions about the Cold War.
The area is very busy and commercial. To get a calmer understanding of the Wall's history, it's worth combining the stop with the Topographie des Terrors, a few blocks away, and with the memorial on Bernauer Straße.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
The stop at the guardhouse and the panels takes about 20 minutes. With one of the museums in the area, allow another one or two hours.
Best time
Early in the morning there are fewer people on the sidewalk. The street fills with groups throughout the day.
How to get there
Kochstraße station on the U6 line is opposite. Stadtmitte (U2 and U6) is a few minutes' walk away. You can walk from the Gendarmenmarkt along Friedrichstraße.
Tip
The guardhouse is a replica and there are people who charge for photos dressed as soldiers: it's not obligatory. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Checkpoint Charlie
Is the guardhouse at Checkpoint Charlie original?
No. The guardhouse in the middle of the street is a replica; the original is in a museum. The panels around it tell the history of the site.
What happened there in 1961?
In October 1961, American and Soviet tanks faced each other for several days, in one of the tensest moments of the Cold War.
Is it worth going?
As a short stop, yes—combined with the Topographie des Terrors, which is a few blocks away.
How to get there?
Via Kochstraße station on the U-Bahn U6 line, which is next to it.