The Berlin Radio Tower (Funkturm) is a former West Berlin broadcasting tower. It is located on the exhibition grounds (Messegelaende) and lovingly called “Langer Lulatsch” (beanpole) by Berliners. The tower is close to 500 feet high with a restaurant at the 167-foot level and an observation deck at just over 400 feet. Growing up in Berlin, I took the elevator to the observation deck at least once a month during the summer and marveled at the panoramic views of the city and its surrounding woods and lakes.
Berlin Radio Tower
Photo © J. Elke Ertle, www.walled-in-berlin.com
Prior to German reunification, the Berlin Radio Tower counted among West Berlin’s top attractions. Since then, many tourists choose to visit the Berlin Television Tower instead. It is located in the city center, the former East Berlin. Today, the Berlin Radio Tower no longer serves as a transmitting tower but is protected monument due to its special architectural interest.
History of the Berlin Radio Tower
Similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Berlin Radio Tower was constructed as one large steel framework. It was inaugurated in 1926 for the opening of the third Great German Radio Exhibition (Grosse Deutsche Funkausstellung). This exhibition, now known as the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA), is one of the oldest industrial trade fairs in Germany. Originally, the exhibition concentrated solely on medium wave radio, but included television two years later. In 1929, the Berlin Radio Tower broadcast Germany’s first televised images and in 1935 the world’s first regular TV program http://www.funkturm-messeberlin.de/en/ During the Battle for Berlin, one of the Funkturm’s main braces was hit by shellfire at 125 feet above ground. It left the beanpole standing on only three feet and nearly caused the entire structure to collapse.
Function of the Berlin Radio Tower
In 1962, the tower stopped being used for West German television transmissions. In 1973, all regular broadcast transmissions from the Berlin Radio Tower came to an end although the last transmitters were not disassembled until 1989. Today, the Berlin Radio Tower is still used as relay station for amateur and police radio and mobile phone services.
The Berlin Radio Tower Restaurant
The interior of Radio Tower Restaurant recreates the atmosphere of the twenties with its inlaid wood panels and art nouveau decor. Up to 116 guests can dine à la carte or enjoy a themed buffet, which changes monthly.
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Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.
