Cold War Secrets Hidden in Berlin's Artistic Mountain
A Hill of Rubble and Secrets
Berlin's Teufelsberg, or Devil's Mountain, is more than just a hill. It's a pile of rubble from World War II, hiding the ruins of a Nazi military college. But during the Cold War, it became a spy hub for the U.S. and its allies.
A Spy's Vantage Point
The hill's height made it perfect for spying on East Germany and the Soviet Union. American, British, and French spies set up antennas and radars to monitor enemy communications. Their main goal was to warn of any upcoming attacks on Western Europe.
Abandoned and Reborn
Today, the site is abandoned and run by artists. The old radio rooms are now filled with street art, including manga characters and political messages. It's a stark contrast to its past as a spy station.
A Monument to History
The hill was created after the war. West Berlin had nowhere else to dump the rubble from bombed buildings. The remains of the Nazi college were too strong to demolish, so they were buried under the rubble.
Memories of the Cold War
Former soldiers who served there remember the city during the Cold War. They saw the division between East and West Berlin firsthand. It was a time of restrictions and tension, but also of resilience.
