Fernmeldeturm Birkholzaue, Television tower in Bernau bei Berlin, Germany.
The Fernmeldeturm Birkholzaue is a transmission tower in Bernau bei Berlin that stands 110 meters tall. The cylindrical concrete structure has been transmitting television, radio, and mobile phone signals since it was built.
The tower was built in 1959 by the East German Ministry of Post and Telecommunications as part of the national broadcasting network. It has remained a technical landmark through decades of political and economic change since then.
The tower became a landmark in the local landscape and reflects how East Germany integrated telecommunications infrastructure into everyday life during that era. For residents, it represented the modern technology and connectivity available at the time.
The tower stands in Bernau bei Berlin and is visible from various points in the area, making it easy to locate and photograph from outside. Visiting the site gives a good sense of the local telecommunications infrastructure, though interior access is typically not available.
The tower is nicknamed the "Dezimeterturm" because its microwave relay links once operated in the decimetre wavelength range. It was built for the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and, during the GDR era, was part of the directional radio network of the party and the National People's Army; mobile phone antennas were added later.
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