Television tower and world clock at Alexanderplatz in Berlin. Everyone is supposed to remember that Berlin’s Fernsehturm (TV Tower) is 365m high and is the tallest building in Berlin. As urban legend has it, the tower’s height was a deliberate decision taken by Walter Ulbricht, Leader of the SED, so that every child would be able to remember it, just like the days of the year. In fact the tower’s summit today is 368m. Construction for the GDR transmitter started in the 1950s and the tower erected between 1965-69 was intended as the tallest tower in Europe second only to Moscow’s own TV tower. It was built by East German architects Fritz Dieter, Günter Franke and Werner Ahrendt. A separate TV broadcasting system for East Berlin was a necessity during the years of division and the fact that it was built right in the middle of the city was Ulbricht’s original vision. It remains the only city TV tower in Europe. An extremely popular sight for tourists and Berliners alike, it currently receives over 1 million visitors a year. The lift reaches an altitude of 200m in 40 seconds; the observation deck is at a height of 203m and the Telecafé at 207m. The Telecafé, designed with an outer ring of revolving tables, serves coffee, snacks and reasonably priced meals while revolving once around its axis every 30 minutes. On a bright day, this is the way to take in Berlin and surrounding Brandenburg from an eagle-eyed view.