Berlin - Television Tower Fernsehturm

The Television Tower (nicknamed "Telespargel" (Tele-Asparagus) by the Berliners), has become one of Berlin's chief landmarks. Statistics: height (with aerial) 365m/1,200ft, concrete shaft 250 m/820ft, weight of tower 26,000 tons, weight of sphere 4,800 tons (made up of 140 segments with a plastic skin), observation terrace for 200 people at 207m/680ft, diameter of base 32m/105ft, diameter of observation floor 24m/80ft, diameter of Tele-Cafe (accommodation for 200) 29m/95ft.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Brandenburg Gate

Charlottenburg Palace

Pergamon Museum

Gendarmenmarkt

Zoological Gardens

Under the Lime-Trees Avenue

Museum of Applied Art

The tower was designed by Fritz Dieter and Günther Franke in co-operation with Swedish engineers. Work began in August, 1965, and the tower was brought into operation in October, 1969.

The ticket offices are on the upper floor of the hall at the foot of the tower. From there, two high-speed lifts take visitors up to the observation floor from which there are panoramic views, extending in clear weather for anything up to 40km/25mi. In the Tele-Cafe the tables and chairs are on a revolving ring which makes one complete turn every 30 minutes or so. At the foot of the tower are an exhibition center and Berlin information office (open daily 8am-8pm, tel. 2 42 46 75).

Address: Berlin Television Tower, Panoramastrasse 1A, D-10178 Berlin, Germany

Hours:

March 1 to October 31: 9am-0am

November 1 to February 28: 10am-0am

Disability Access: No facilities for persons with disabilities.

Facilities: Restaurant or food service

Transit: S-Bahn: and U-Bahn: Alexanderplatz (S3, S5, S6, S7, S75, S9, U2, U5, U8).