The Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn station was the last station before the West Berlin border for trains running east and west and was located in the middle of the city on the north-south line. When the border was sealed off in August 1961, this through station became a terminal and a border crossing point for travelers from both parts of Berlin. The pavilion used for border clearance, dubbed the “Tränenpalast” (Palace of Tears) because of the countless farewells it witnessed until 1989, is still standing today.
Starting in the mid-1990s, the Friedrichstrasse station was completely remodeled. The building formerly used to check travelers crossing from and to West Berlin was located north of the railway line and connected to the station via a tunnel. Its façade, largely unchanged, is today’s most important reminder of this former border crossing. The “Tränenpalast” is now used as a venue for concerts and other events.
The foundation Haus der Geschichte (House of History) put up a permanent exhibition in the Tränenpalast lobby that uses historical documents and media stations to tell the story of the former checkpoint.
Tränenpalast, Reichstagufer 17, 10117 Berlin
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission free
