Friedrichstrasse
CHECKPOINT CHARLIE
Friedrichstrasse is a long, narrow street, that is running from Oranienburger Tor in Mitte/city center in the North to Mehringplatz in Kreuzberg in the South. It is the core of the Friedrichstadt area and is considered one of Berlin's most exclusive streets and the foremost shopping street with famous brand stores for everything from clothes to cars. The exclusive department stores Galeries Lafayette and Quartier 206 is also located here. The most famous attraction on Friedrichstrasse is Checkpoint Charlie, the spot that was guarded by Russian and American forces until the wall came down in 1989. For long, it went into decline, but recently most buildings have been refurbished and brand new building complexes have been constructed. There is still a lot of construction around the street. Friedrichstrasse passes Unter den Linden and Gendarmenmarkt. Friedrichstrasse is pretty lively even at night, since some stores have long opening hours, you can see how it looks after dark in the Berlin by night section.
Checkpoint Charlie:
Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War. The name was given by Western Allies Forces. It is situated on the border of Kreuzberg (former West) and Mitte (former East).
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, a museum opened 2 years after the wall came down.
A Hummer limo passing by Checkpoint C, a great contrast to the Trabis from DDR!
GSW-Hauptverwaltung, a colourful highrise building from 1999. It has 22 floors.
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie and Mauermuseum (the wall museum).
The former border to the West, guarded by Russian forces.
Developers demolished the East German watch point tower in 2000 to make way for new development. It was the last remaining original structure from the checkpoint. Ironically, nothing has been built.
This is where the wall stood. The Allied Forces guarded the border to the East. This is just a copy of the guard house, the original was removed to a museum.
US Army Checkpoint with an actor dressed as a military policeman. Some people were shot to death while trying to pass the border.
Some pop art near Checkpoint C.
The museum at Checkpoint C.
Symbols of DDR and Soviet.
You can get a faked DDR visa stamp at the checkpoint.
The construction of the wall and Checkpoint C at Friedrichstrasse.
Cold war!
Part of Die Mauer, the wall, at an outdoor exhibition next to Checkpoint Charlie.
Art at remnants from the Berlin Wall can be seen all over Berlin, here at Checkpoint Charlie.
A beach just next to Checkpoint C where I enjoyed a currywurst with a beer!
North of Checkpoint Charlie:
This is where most of the large stores can be found.
Galeries Lafayette. The modern Berlin brand of this French department store chain is their only store outside of France. This modern glass buildings was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel.
The two spectacular glass spheres of Galeries Lafayette, designed by Jean Nouvel. Currently under reconstruction.
The cylindrical glass atrium that gets narrower to the top and bottom is famous and form the center of the building. Unforutnately the popular viewing point/restaurant on the top was closed for renovation.
The cylinder seen from the basement of Galeries Lafayette.
A glitzy elevetor at Galeries Lafayette.
Quartier 206, an exclusive department store.
Inside the exclusive Quartier 206 deparment store at Friedrichstrasse. It has fashion houses, cosmetic and jewelry stores.
Quartier 206:s atrium with its strange "monument".
An underground passage at Quartier 206.
The underground entrance to Galeries Lafayette from Quartier 206.
An old time horse carriage along Friedrichstrasse.
The Russian Embassy.
Dussmann is a department store specialized in culture, records and books.
Inside Duffman.
Rare stores at Friedrichstrasse.
Kochstrasse is the closest metro station to Checkpoint Charlie.
One of the U6 metro stations along Friedrichstrasse.
Around Friedrichstrasse Station:
There is a large train/metro station at Friedrichstrasse, in the North part just before the street reaches River Spree. This is close to where my hotel was.
Ernst & Young's curved midrise tower and Meliá Hotel. Behind and to the right is the S-bahn and train station.
The train station, Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse, has railtracks that pass above Friedrichstrasse.
Admirals-Palast theater.
Friedrichstadt Palast, a wellknown theater at Oranienburger Tor, near the North end of Friedrichstrasse.
View from the bridge over River Spree in the Northernmost part of Friedrichstrasse towards Museuminsel and Alexanderplatz in the East.