The solar system model
Turning slowly above the cylinder.
Unknown — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu) — Public domain · MaryG90 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mark Ahsmann — CC BY-SA 3.0
The World Clock on Alexanderplatz is a rotating metal cylinder topped by a simple model of the solar system, showing the time in a hundred and forty-eight cities around the world across twenty-four time zones engraved around its circumference. It was designed in 1969 to mark the twentieth anniversary of East Germany's founding, and its message was plainly political: a relatively small socialist state declaring its connection to the whole world at a time when its citizens' movement was severely restricted and most of them could not visit any of those cities. After reunification the clock became east Berlin's foremost meeting point — Berliners say meet me at the clock and everyone understands where. It was listed as a protected monument in 2015. In practice it is a transit point rather than a destination: a few minutes to look and photograph in the busiest square in the city, with a major transport interchange beneath it.
Turning slowly above the cylinder.
Meet me at the clock, and every Berliner knows.
Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin
AlexanderplatzAlexanderplatz is a wide square in the eastern part of central Berlin, which Ber1 minute walk4.2
Berlin TV TowerA 368-metre tower at Alexanderplatz, the tallest structure in Germany and a land3 minutes walk4.5
St Nicholas' ChurchSt Nicholas' is the oldest building in Berlin: its stone foundations date to aro8 minutes walk4.3
NikolaiviertelThe Nikolaiviertel is the oldest spot in Berlin: the city began here in the thir8 minutes walk4.7
Berlin DungeonThe Berlin Dungeon is not a museum but a scare show. You go in with a small grou8 minutes walk4.5Honestly no — it is a landmark you pass rather than a destination you plan for, and you will be at Alexanderplatz anyway since it is the largest transport hub in the east of the city. Stand for two minutes and read the city names around it, then continue to the neighbouring TV Tower or walk west toward Museum Island — both are minutes away.