GDR Watchtower

Abandoned. Forgotten. The GDR Watchtower at Potsdamer Platz stands as a stark reminder of a divided city. This isn’t just any watchtower. It’s the last original BT-6 type watchtower from the GDR era. It stands as a silent witness to a time when Berlin was a fractured city. The GDR Watchtower, tucked away in a small side street off Potsdamer Platz, offers a chilling glimpse into the past. The tower, round at the base and octagonal above, is made of solid concrete. Imagine two border patrol soldiers inside, crammed into the small space. They’re serving eight-hour shifts, monitoring the border strip and nearby ministries. The GDR Watchtower was built in 1971. It offered a panoramic view, stretching from the Tiergarten to the Brandenburg Gate. Climb the two iron ladders inside the GDR Watchtower. Reach the top and peer through the small windows. You’ll see the world as the border soldiers once did. They were constantly on alert, watching for anyone attempting to cross from East to West Berlin. Over 200 of these towers stood along the Berlin Wall. Now, only the GDR Watchtower at Potsdamer Platz remains. In 2001, it was declared a historical landmark. A decade later, volunteers began its restoration. Today, thanks to their efforts, you can visit this relic of the Cold War. The GDR Watchtower stands as a stark reminder of Berlin’s divided past, a poignant symbol of a city once separated by concrete and ideology.