After the RAF's (British Royal Air Force) bombing of Berlin in 1940 - Hitler ordered the construction of six Flak towers (anti aircraft towers) to protect the city. Only three towers ended up being built and following the ones erected in Tiergarten and Friedrichshain park, the Flak Tower in Humboldthain park in Gesundbrunnen was the last one to be built between the fall of 1941 and spring of 1942. The G-Tower (Gefechtsturm or the Gun tower) of Humboldthain was topped with heavy anti-aircraft cannons pointing towards the sky but the tower not only served as protection against air raids, it also functioned as a shelter with space for about 15 000 people since it was considered bomb-proof. The cannons themselves were aimed with the help from a second control tower (Leitturm or the L-tower) which was located on the Gustav-Meyer-Allee side of the park. After the end of World War II the Flak towers were mostly destroyed along with many other military structures in an attempt to forget and move on. But due to their massive constructions of reinforced concrete it proved hard to completely erase them from history and therefore some parts still stands. The G-Tower which is the one seen from Badstrasse/Brunnenstrasse as you exit the Gesundbrunnen station was partially demolished but the remaining side is now a well visited lookout point where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over Berlin. Keep in mind as you're making your way to the top - that the hill beneath your feet is actually made out of the debris of the destroyed buildings. The control tower (the L-tower) which was blown up by the French in 1948 remains only as a ruin. If you are eager to learn more - Berliner Unterwelten e.V. holds guided tours into the concrete belly of the tower where three of the seven floors of the bunker can be seen and fascinating stories told. Oh, and if the season allows it don't forget a visit to the beautiful Rosengarten Im Humboldthain at the base of the hill.
(Text originally published for the Yes Wow Museum 2017-03-13.)
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AuthorI came up with the idea of expanding my photography with Berlin related storytelling. Every street in this city is full of history and every person has a story to tell. ArchivesCategories
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All photos © Kristian Kotilainen 2016-2018.
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