Fritzguide

The radio tower, which the Berlin population likes to call "Langer Lulatsch", has been one of the most famous landmarks of Berlin since the 1920s. The steel construction stretches 147 meters above the exhibition grounds in the Berlin district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf . At its top, the radio tower has a 126-meter-high viewing platform that can be visited for a small fee. In addition, the tower restaurant, a tower restaurant, and a viewing area at the top of the tower are located at a height of 50 meters. The platform and tower restaurant is among the best viewpoints in Berlin because from here you have a magnificent 360 ° panoramic view of other sights of the capital . History When radio became more and more important in Germany in the 1920s, an adequate transmission tower was also needed in Berlin. So it was decided to build a new radio system at the 1st Great German Radio Exhibition in 1924. Since the up-and-coming Berlin wanted to compete with other capitals at the beginning of the “Roaring Twenties”, structural comparison with the Eiffel Tower was necessary. Instead of a simple transmission mast, it was decided to use a similar but simpler steel framework construction with an observation tower and restaurant floor. Just two years later, the "Lange Lulatsch" was opened on the occasion of the third Great German Radio Exhibition on the exhibition grounds in Witzleben. Leading Berlin technologies were used in the ambitious structure. For example, Carl Flohr AG installed the highest electric lift in the German Empire with the 120-meter elevator system up to the viewing platform. With the broadcast of the first television picture in Germany in 1929 and the world's first regular television program in 1935, the Berlin radio tower also became a symbol of the emerging media technology era and quickly became a symbol of Berlin. During the Second World War, the scaffolding and tower restaurant was hit by grenades and badly damaged. Fortunately, the decision was made against demolition and the radio tower was preserved for posterity. On the occasion of its 35th birthday in 1966, the radio tower was placed under monument protection due to its historical importance. Today you can still find the original Art Nouveau furnishings in the 55-meter-high restaurant. In the midst of the nostalgic charm of the twenties, you can have a wonderful lunch or dinner here and enjoy the unique view over Berlin. After the German reunification, interest in the radio tower steadily decreased due to the abundance of sights in Berlin. In the 2000s, the number of tourists was halved to 60,000 visitors a year. Nevertheless, anyone who goes to one of the many exhibitions on the exhibition grounds could take the opportunity to top off their visit with a drive up the radio tower. Attention! If the weather is bad, the viewing platform will be closed, so it is better to ask whether it is open too. Panoramic view over Berlin The viewing platform of the radio tower offers both a protected view behind the glass cladding and an immediate open-air experience. Either way, visitors can expect a spectacular view of Berlin. Whether Teufelsberg and Olympiastadion in the west or TV tower, Potsdamer Platz and Gedächtniskirche in the east, from the 126-meter high platform you have a good view of most of the capital's landmarks. True-to-scale display boards inform visitors about the buildings in sight. In addition, you can take a close look at the sights and the surrounding area with coin-operated telescopes. The tower restaurant After an exciting ride in the glass elevator, visitors can expect a unique view of Berlin from the radio tower restaurant. From 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., a changing lunch menu with soups, main courses, desserts, and cakes is served. In the evening from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. there is a buffet with a monthly changing theme, such as an asparagus buffet in spring or Italian specialties in summer. Facts and Figures The glass lift takes 34 seconds to go up, which corresponds to a speed of around 4 meters per second. The viewing platform offers space for a maximum of 45 people. If you don't take the elevator, there are 287 steps up to the restaurant There are a total of 610 steps to the upper platform The remaining 323 steps from the restaurant to the Sturmspitze are closed for security reasons In stronger winds, the top of the tower sways by 40 centimeters 400 tons of steel were used for the scaffolding The tower weighs a total of 600 tons Berlin Radio Tower Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin-Charlottenburg Opening times of the viewing platform (5 euros) Tuesday - Friday 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. www.funkturm-messeberlin.de

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