Few places in Berlin illustrate the city’s history in the 20th century as vividly as Teufelsberg. What began as a Nazi construction project later became a Cold War spy station and, eventually, a sprawling open-air street art gallery. Only in Berlin!
Nazi project
The story of Teufelsberg began with Hitler’s project for a military-technical academy, the Faculty of Defense Technologies, where research into armaments and warfare was to be conducted.
However, in 1940, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring ordered the suspension of all construction projects that were not “essential for the war.” The order also affected the construction of the Faculty of Defense Technologies, which remained unfinished.
The Birth of Teufelsberg
After the war, Berlin sought a suitable location for disposing of rubble. The choice fell on the unfinished “Faculty of Defense Technologies” – and so was born Teufelsberg.
In 1950, Teufelsberg began to be filled with rubble. Every day, 800 trucks loaded with 7,000 tons of rubble were transported to Teufelsberg and the resulting hill and its surroundings were gradually planted with almost 500,000 trees.
Spy station
After the division of Berlin, the American occupation forces gained control of Teufelsberg and, together with the British armed forces, used it for military purposes.
At the end of the 1960s, construction of the Teufelsberg radar station began. From 1972 onwards, the Americans carried out round-the-clock surveillance operations at Teufelsberg. The station, from which the US intercepted communications from the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc and gathered information about their activities, became one of the most important NSA sites outside the US and one of the most important espionage sites in Europe.
In the 1990s, the traditional listening methods used at Teufelsberg were considered obsolete due to advances in satellite communications. Eventually, the listening station was decommissioned in 1992, and Teufelsberg became an alternative scene, with various artists temporarily relocating to the site.
Street art scene
In 1996, the property was purchased by a group of investors who planned to convert Teufelsberg into luxury apartments and a hotel. However, these plans failed due to resistance from local residents, activists, and artists who were becoming increasingly interested in Teufelsberg.
In 2004, the building permit issued in 1996 expired. Teufelsberg continues to develop as a street art scene. In 2018, the Berlin State Office designated Teufelsberg as an important Cold War monument.
Currently, Teufelsberg is operated as a street art gallery, where many renowned artists exhibit their works or express their political views. Teufelsberg has also become a viewing platform from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of Grunewald and the surrounding urban areas – especially unforgettable at sunset.
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Sunday; from 11.00 to sunset
Teufelsberg
Teufelsseechaussee 10
14193 Berlin-Charlottenburg
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