Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin by Silva Wischeropp

About "Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin"

by Silva Wischeropp

About the artwork

This photographic retake shows the former border crossing at Checkpoint Charlie in Friedrichstraße in the districts of Berlin-Kreuzberg and Berlin-Mitte. The Soviet soldier can be seen on the former GDR side.

The former border crossing in Friedrichstraße is an attraction for visitors from Germany and abroad. Nobody is bothered by the fact that there are hardly any original buildings left at Checkpoint Charlie.

The former Checkpoint Charlie border crossing is one of the most important and most visited sights in Berlin. The tourist attraction was a military checkpoint at the time of the division of Germany. Even though the Wall has long since disappeared and the barriers and watchtowers of Checkpoint Charlie have been replaced by replicas, interest in the former border crossing remains high. The Wall Museum is also located in the immediate vicinity.

From border point to important sight
In the centre of Friedrichstraße, the main north-south axis of traffic, a large pole with the image of a soldier rises into the sky. At the foot of the pole is a small wooden barrack with flags and sandbags. The sacks have long since been filled with concrete instead of sand and the barracks are a replica - but this does nothing to diminish the popularity of the site.

Checkpoint Charlie is one of the most exciting and best-known sights in Berlin. During the division of Berlin, the former military checkpoint was the most famous border crossing of the three border points controlled by the Americans, alongside Glienicke Bridge. Checkpoint Charlie could only be used by foreigners and employees of the Permanent Representation of the FRG in the GDR as well as GDR officials. Other visitors to East Berlin were not processed at this border crossing.