Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the most well-known Berlin Wall crossing point between West Germany and East Germany. As such, it was often featured in movies and spy novels.


For 28 years, from 1961 to 1990, Checkpoint Charlie stood at Friedrichstraße. It was the only border crossing point for the Allies, foreigners, employees of the Permanent Representation and officials of the DDR (German Democratic Republic/East Germany).


Checkpoint Charlie stayed open, after the Berlin Wall fell, until German reunification in 1990. The guard house was removed and is now on display at the Allied Museum.


A copy of the guard house and sign that used to be the border crossing is on display. The course of the former wall is now marked in the street by a line of cobblestones. The museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie tells the history of the wall. The museum is very interesting but it was very crowded. Here's a video I found on YouTube that talks about the museum.

©Rick Steves