3 hours
E-voucher
German
Overview
While Potsdam is renowned for its scenic gardens and castles, it also played a critical role during World War II and the Cold War. Learn all about the city’s 20th-century history on this immersive walking tour. Begin at Cecilienhof Palace, host to the Potsdam Conference that ended WWII. As you go, you’ll also discover the city’s former KGB headquarters, will see other Soviet–era landmarks, and will visit the “Bridge of Spies” where secret agents were exchanged during the Cold War.
Operated by
Berlins Taiga
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
5
/ 5
17 traveller ratings
5
17
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
High quality, entertaining, unique, knowledgeable and nice
B1199CPj_rgk, Nov 2024
The tour was unique! In high quality, the guide revived the historical references and explained everything figuratively. The nice, open-minded way took us listeners away and made us empathize well. Simply great and Recommendable!
Potsdam Forbidden City- Worth Seeing
Escape35828552842, Oct 2024
It was a super interesting city tour along the inner German border and in the KGB district number 7 in Potsdam. We have learned a lot about this part of modern German history. Thank you for that!
A very interesting and recommended excursion for those interested in the Cold War period
DayTrip64215985292, Aug 2024
The excursion led to several places that played a particularly important role in the Cold War: the Glienick Bridge, where spectacular agent exchanges took place, Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference took place, and the Soviet. Military town N7 with the German seat of the Soviet. counterintelligence). Our guide had worked very well into the matter, but did not slay us with facts, but presented the essentials so clearly and excitingly that it was easy to follow and the attention did not diminish. It was also helpful that he had brought vivid pictorial material on the state of sightseeing sites during the Cold War. The excursion duration of two and a half hours was reasonable. There was no need to rush, even older people like us could handle the route without any problems.
Super interesting and informative!
A7707XVgudrunb, May 2024
I always book this tour when I have visitors who don't know much about the fall of the Berlin Wall. I'm always impressed. Holger Raschke leads the tour in a very interesting way as a contemporary witness. You learn a lot of things that you don't learn on normal city tours. He also has a lot of general knowledge about that time and about Potsdam in general. I can only recommend the tour (even for Potsdam residents). Thank you very much again, Mr Raschke!
Itinerary
Glienicke Bridge
The Glienicke Bridge is know as the "Bridge of Spies". During the Cold War, the bridge was used by CIA and KGB in order to exchange agents. The Hollywood movie "Bridge of Spies" was shot here. The bridge was the border between the GDR and the American sector in West Berlin. Until the fall of the Berlin Wall, the bridge was a heavily secured restricted area.
15 minutesThe "Schwanenallee" was once located directly next to the Berlin Wall, which shielded the houses from the riverbank. Today its villas are in a prime location.
15 minutesSchloss Cecilienhof
The Cecilienhof Palace is the historic venue of the Potsdam Conference. In the summer of 1945, US President Harry S. Truman, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet head of state Josef Stalin met here. We will not enter the palace, but see it from the outside.The conference was an end point of World War II, but also a starting point of the Cold War.
30 minutesNeuer Garten
The UNESCO World Heritage Site "New Garden" was also a restricted area for a long time. The border fortifications of the Berlin Wall ran through the park with its historic palaces
30 minutesGedenk- und Begegnungsstatte Leistikowstrasse
Soviet military town No. 7 - a “forbidden city”, was located next to the New Garden. It was one of the most important intelligence sites of the Soviets during the Cold War. The former KGB prison is located in this area. We discover the neighborhood, which for almost 50 years was a Soviet restricted area in the middle of Potsdam. On the tour you will learn more about the work and life in this forbidden city.
45 minutes
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Local guide
- Professional guide
Exclusions
- Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Guide Languages
German
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.