Cold War Berlin

This tour follows the often ghost like trail of the Death-strip and Wall, retracing some of the more intriguing fortifications of its border from Guard Towers to tank traps. It is designed to serve as a reminder of the Cold War which kept the world in terror for forty years and came to an end not that long ago. Starting at the infamous Checkpoint Charlie, where the Cold War powers formerly faced off just yards apart, we describe the routines and duties of Border Guards, the Soviet and Allied forces, Stasi and CIA. Get an extraordinary insight into: what it meant to live in the eastern bloc's most Stalinistic State – the former GDR; successful and failed escapes where Border Command sooner followed the orders of 'shoot to kill' than allow the heinous crime of 'flight from the Republic'; how MI6 and the CIA tunneled under the Wall and Soviet Zone and tapped into the Red Army's secret communications; the methods used by the Stasi to guarantee control of east Germany's population, from 'radiation tags' to "Day X" preparations. Find out who were and what happened to the GDR's leadership – the key figures and where they are today. For a proper historical perspective we look at the plight of former east Germans in present society: from former Stasi agents and every day citizenry through to the remarkable scenario of Germany's, not only first female, but "ossie" (the nick-name for east Germans) Chancellor - what do they miss about the GDR, are things better? From shopping to daily work, before, after and what the future holds. Features include the monumental Soviet Embassy, "Ghost Stations", former Guard Towers, hidden areas of the Death Strip and espionage points of the CIA and KGB, Stasi surveillance techniques and equipment, locations of both succesful and failed escape attempts, a complete reassembled area  of inner and outer  fortifications of  the state border and more.

Important :  supplier of the tour is Insider Tours.

 

Duration : approx. 4 hours 

 

Departure :  10 am Monday and Thursday from McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station

 

This tour follows the often ghost like trail of the Death-strip and Wall, retracing some of the more intriguing fortifications of its border from Guard Towers to tank traps. Starting at the infamous Checkpoint Charlie, where the Cold War powers formerly faced off just yards apart, we describe the routines and duties of Border Guards, the Soviet and Allied forces, Stasi and CIA. Features include the monumental Soviet Embassy, "Ghost Stations", former Guard Towers, hidden areas of the Death Strip and espionage points of the CIA and KGB, Stasi surveillance techniques and equipment, locations of both successful and failed escape attempts, a complete reassembled area  of inner and outer  fortifications of  the state border and more.

10 am Monday and Thursday from McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station

10 am Monday and Thursday from McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station