Abhörstation, Listening station in Grunewald, Germany
The Abhörstation consists of multiple concrete buildings topped with distinctive white geodesic radar domes positioned on Teufelsberg hill. The facility spreads across the hilltop with various structures designed to capture radio signals from distant sources.
Built in 1963, this monitoring facility was designed to intercept radio communications from Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War. It served as a critical intelligence post for Western operations against Soviet-controlled territories.
Street artists have transformed the abandoned complex into an open-air gallery, painting colorful murals across concrete surfaces and turning the site into a creative meeting point.
The site is accessible by foot and visitors can explore the buildings and artwork independently or join guided tours for deeper explanations. Wear sturdy shoes as the hillside paths and concrete surfaces can be uneven and require careful footing.
A nearby carnival Ferris wheel created unexpected radio interference that disrupted the station's signal reception when it operated. Engineers had to modify their equipment and procedures to work around this quirky obstacle.
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