The hut and sign
A replica checkpoint with the famous sign: You are leaving the American sector.
Paul Korecky — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ray Swi-hymn from Sijhih-Taipei, Taiwan — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ray Swi-hymn from Sijhih-Taipei, Taiwan — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ray Swi-hymn from Sijhih-Taipei, Taiwan — CC BY-SA 2.0
Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin during the years of the Wall. It was reserved for foreigners, diplomats and Allied forces, and some famous moments of tension happened here — above all the American and Soviet tank standoff of 1961. What you see today is not original. The small white hut in the middle of the street is a replica, and the panels and photographs around it were added later. The real site has changed completely and is now ringed by shops and restaurants. Many visitors leave disappointed, and that is understandable: the spot is crowded and heavily commercial. People in military costume ask for money for photographs, and they are not official in any way. Even so it is worth ten minutes to understand the geography. But for real understanding go to the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße — far better, and free.
A replica checkpoint with the famous sign: You are leaving the American sector.
Free photographs and text on hoardings around the site explaining the crossing's history.
Friedrichstraße 43-45, 10117 Berlin
Gropius BauThe Gropius Bau is a major exhibition hall in an 1881 building by Martin Gropius7 minutes walk4.5
The German CathedralThe Deutscher Dom is one of two nearly identical buildings framing the Gendarmen8 minutes walk4.6
Berlinische GalerieThe Berlinische Galerie is a museum with a precisely defined brief: art made in 8 minutes walk4.6
Jewish Museum BerlinThe Jewish Museum Berlin is an architectural event before it is a museum: Daniel8 minutes walk4.3
German Spy MuseumThe German Spy Museum stands on Leipziger Platz — a deliberate location: the squ10 minutes walk4.4Ten minutes, with low expectations. The site is commercial, crowded, and what stands there are replicas. If time is limited, go to the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße instead.
Individuals in military costume stand near the hut and charge to pose with you. They are not official and you are not obliged to pay. Photographing the street is free.
The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße: free, with an original section of Wall, a viewing tower and a visitor centre. It is the best place in Berlin to actually understand the Wall.