Travel Diary: Teufelsberg (Former Spy Station)

On our last full day in Berlin, Goethe Institut arranged a tour for us around an old spy station at Teufelsberg. I must say, it’s not your usual tourist destination. There were no information centers or big ticketing offices around it. In fact, it’s like a hidden treasure that’s only visible to people who seek it. If not for Goethe Institut, I would’ve probably never known that it existed. You see, I’m not really big on the whole spy thing. (I’m sorry to disappoint, Agent 007!) However, I must admit, seeing an actual spy station was pretty cool.

Teufelsberg has quite a unique history. It literally means “Devil’s Mountain” in German. And after learning about its history, I can say the name is fitting. Teufelsberg is a 114.7 meter-high hill (West berlin’s highest point), completely made of Berlin rubble gathered after the bombings around the city during the Second World War. While there’s nothing special about this (since most of Germany has plenty of man-made hills made of rubble gathered from WWII bombings), what makes this hill interesting is what lies beneath all its rubble. There’s an unfinished Nazi military-technical college underneath this hill. Because it was too sturdy to destroy, the Allies just covered the entire building with rubble. By the time the Cold War started and spying and surveillance between East and West Berlin became the name of the game, a NSA listening station was built on top of this man-made hill of rubble by the Allies. Our guide said spies could hear almost anything in Berlin from this station. Creepy! Of course, it was abandoned shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Fast forward to now, this abandoned space has become some sort of a graffiti paradise, some of which were painted by world-renowned artists even. It was definitely far from what I expected to see but I don’t mind. This is part of Berlin’s many charms really–turning historical places like this into something else while still maintaining its roots. It’s what makes Berlin so fascinating.

Chanel earrings | Moussy cardigan | Topshop cropped top | Egoist skirt | Prada bag | Saint Laurent leather sneakers

44 Responses to “Travel Diary: Teufelsberg (Former Spy Station)”
  1. Ericka Garcia

    Generally, I don’t like graffiti but this one is an exception. :)

    Love,
    Ericka Garcia

    Reply
  5. Katrin Tuano

    “Shit happens when you party naked.” This can totally pass as a quotable quote haha and I see what you mean in your Berlin Wall post that wall art is part of their culture. And it’s great. I wish I could see more creative walls here in manila :)

    Reply
  6. Clariss

    Berlin have so much graffiti walls! I love it. Creepy name tho “devil’s mountain” :(( . Love the skirt and cardigan :))

    Reply
  7. Khayrin

    Graffiti everywhere! This place is full of substance about the freedom of its people. You mostly opted for white sneakers! Can I ask why? LOL. BTW random qs: Can Camille Co wear androgynous style for a formal party? Like what Jodi Sta Maria wore on Star Magic Ball 2014. Hihi

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Of course! I like Georgina’s androgynous take more though :) As for my sneakers, white is just so clean and easy to style :)

      Reply
  8. Erika Rone

    Hi FI!! I’m back. Hahaha! :)) 2 days away nalang boards ko na! And I saw na ksama ka sa goody come and play 2014? Yesss! Makakapunta ako again, kasi tapos na boards nun! Weeee. I hope to see you real soon! Sure kana po ba na ppnta doon? Hehe. :)) pra bbli na po ako ulit ng goody! For the tix. Hehe love you forevssss FI! Sana more selfies pa, saka mapirmahan mo na po yung review mag ko! Hihihi. :)))) <3 #1 fan from Tarlac :*** xoxo

    Reply
  9. Katelyne

    Your photos are beautiful, I’m not sure if you mention it but who takes your outfit shots?

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Thanks Katelyne! Whoever I’m with :) Since my sister was with me on this trip, she took my outfit shots here :)

      Reply
  10. Kay

    Camille!! I love your skirt! Can you please share the Japanese brand? I love your outfit! Berlin seems so humid! Your outfit is perfect for tours though too feminine for this place hahaha!

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      LOL! I haven’t checked again but I will update this post when I’m back in Manila. The brand slipped my mind.

      Berlin’s weather is actually almost always gloomy so I was lucky to get really sunny weather while I was there. :)

      Reply
  11. Vita

    hello camile!
    are you in bali now?
    may we meet? i’m your big fans from bali :)
    i wanna give you some accesories if u don’t mind :)

    Reply
  12. GAla

    As usual, prettiness ka as ever :)

    I have so much respect for someone your age who knows history!! :) Very educational din mga post mo at na-eenjooy ko talaga. Also.. um,, pansin ko.. di mo nilalabas pusod mo.. conscious decision ba yun?? :D

    Keep up the good work!!

    What i would like to see is a post about how you pack all your stuff, especially, how you travel w/ all your accessories. O may personal valet ka ba?? Hehe.. even the SLR/ other hardware like laptop, etc. that you/your photog use. I’d really apprec8 that. Thanx!!

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Hindi naman conscious decision. Nasa damit din :) You’ll see it in other posts :) This one kasi is high-waist :)

      Thanks Gaia! I’ve been meaning to make a how I pack post. Next time! :)

      Reply
  14. Jo

    I love places like this! I feel like graffiti is can art. Not the kind of graffiti that people just scribble their name or random hates.

    Reply
  17. Yana

    Wow! Those graffitis are so nice!!! btw, I love your skirt Ate Cams!! (and your sneakers, I will always love those haha! )

    Reply
  20. Cliffhangersblog

    I’m so glad that you didn’t miss Teufelsberg. The location is just a must for every tourist that wants to know the real Berlin as it is. It’s not as fancy as New York, not as clean as Toronto, not as modern as Dubai or old as London; the city has its own vibes and merits, don’t you think so too? Btw you look amazing: simple and effortless in an organized chaos as a background.

    http://cliffhangersblog.wordpress.com

    Reply
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