The Berlin TV Tower was a communist power symbol that became a global icon.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Rising 368 metres above Berlin, the Fernsehturm was built by the GDR to broadcast state television and project ideological strength. Once a controversial monument to socialist architecture, it has transformed into a beloved landmark, attracting over one million visitors annually to its rotating restaurant and panoramic observation deck.

Conceived in the 1950s to solve broadcasting signal gaps, the Fernsehturm was a political project championed by East German leader Walter Ulbricht. Construction began in 1965, requiring the clearing of a vast section of Berlin’s historic centre. The tower was designed to be a functional broadcasting facility and a potent symbol of communist achievement, with its sphere inspired by the Sputnik satellite. By the time it was inaugurated on October 3, 1969, costs had ballooned from an initial estimate of 33 million to over 132 million marks.

The structure’s design inadvertently created a lasting irony. When sunlight hits the stainless-steel dome, the reflection forms a glowing Greek cross. Berliners dubbed this the Pope’s Revenge, viewing it as divine retribution for the government’s suppression of religion. Even Ronald Reagan famously referenced this phenomenon during his 1987 speech at the Brandenburg Gate. Despite its origins as a tool of the GDR, the tower survived calls for its demolition after reunification, eventually gaining official monument status and becoming a central element of Berlin’s identity.

Today, the tower functions as a major tourist attraction operated by Magnicity. Visitors are whisked to the observation deck in 40 seconds, where they can see up to 42 kilometres on clear days. The sphere houses a rotating restaurant, which completes a full turn every 30 minutes. While it remains the tallest structure in Germany, it is also a testament to complex urban history, standing alongside sites like the Reichstag and the Victory Column as a defining feature of the city's skyline.

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