Oberbaum Bridge (Oberbaumbrücke)
Oberbaumbrücke, Berlin, Germany, 10243
The Oberbaum Bridge crosses the Spree River, connecting the two Berlin districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Prominent in the city’s history, it was one of the only crossing points between East and West Berlin during The Cold War, and so, fiercely guarded. Today it is widely regarded as a symbol of reunification.
The basics
The bridge was built in 1895 on the site of an older wooden bridge that could no longer meet the infrastructural needs of the growing city. It’s constructed from concrete with a decorative granite and brick façade in the Gothic Revival style and features seven arches as well as mock medieval turrets.
The bridge is a key crossing point for pedestrians and vehicles and features a two-story design—the lower one for cars and the upper for U-Bahn trains. Many driving or bike tours pass over the bridge, or you can take your time and walk across, admiring the eclectic mix of street art and graffiti that adorns the walls and listening to busking musicians. The two districts on either side of the bridge are not only now unified, but very trendy and celebrated for their buzzing nightlife.
Things to know before you go
- Although built to service cars and trains, there are also pedestrianized vaults for crossing the river on foot.
- On the nearby banks of the Spree, a sandy urban beach has replaced the barbed-wire no-man’s-land of the Cold War era. Enjoy a drink here during warmer weather.
- The bridge has provided the backdrop for a number of well-known films, including 2004’s The Bourne Supremacy, starring Matt Damon.
How to get there
To reach the Oberbaum Bridge, take the U-Bahn train to Schlesisches Tor, or the U-Bahn, tram, or bus to Warschauer Strasse—it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk from either. Alternatively, enjoy the bridge from the water with a sightseeing boat tour along the river, or join a guided bike tour or drive across.
When to get there
The Oberbaum Bridge can be crossed at any time of day. Keen photographers might like to catch it as the sun sets, casting a warm glow on the red brickwork. The best spot for photography is on the Friedrichshain side, between the bridge and The Wall Museum.
Visit the East Side Gallery
Close proximity to the East Side Gallery makes combining visits a must. A heritage-protected landmark, the open-air gallery features a 1,300-meter (4,200 ft) remnant of the Berlin Wall painted with murals by artists from all over the world. It’s considered a powerful monument to hope, freedom, and unification.
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