Checkpoint Charlie at a glanceThe guardhouse in the street is a replica. The site matters for its border history, the 1961 tank confrontation and the evidence preserved around it.
The crossing at Friedrichstrasse and Zimmerstrasse was used chiefly by diplomats, military personnel and foreign citizens. “Charlie” is the third word in the NATO phonetic alphabet, after Alpha and Bravo.
US and Soviet tanks faced each other here in October 1961. The original guardhouse was removed; the present reconstruction needs context if the site is to be more than a photo opportunity.
Read the outdoor displays, notice Frank Thiel’s photographic installation and continue to the Topography of Terror. The nearby Mauermuseum is a separate private museum.
Photographs of Checkpoint Charlie
Where is Checkpoint Charlie
Open on OpenStreetMapPlan with current information
Frequently asked questions about Checkpoint Charlie
How much time should I allow for Checkpoint Charlie?
As a guide for planning your trip, allow early morning.