Teufelsberg
Plot: The US National Security Agency (NSA) built one of its largest listening stations on top of the hill, rumored to be part of the global ECHELON intelligence gathering network. “The Hill”, as it was known colloquially by the many American soldiers who worked there around the clock and who commuted there from their quarters in the American Sector, was located in the British Sector. Prior to establishing the first permanent buildings there in the very late 1950s, Mobile Allied listening units had driven to various other locales throughout West Berlin hoping to gain the best vantage point for listening to Soviet, East German, and other Warsaw Pact nations military traffic. One such unit drove to the top of Teufelsberg and discovered a marked improvement in listening ability. This discovery eventually led to a large structure being built atop the hill, which would come to be run by the NSA (National Security Agency). At the request of US government, the ski lifts were removed because they allegedly disturbed the signals. The station continued to operate until the fall of East Germany and the Berlin Wall, but after that the station was closed and the equipment removed. The buildings and radar domes still remain in place.
In the 1990s, as Berlin experienced an economic boom after German reunification, a group of investors bought the former listening station area from the City of Berlin with the intention to build hotels and apartments. There was talk of preserving the listening station as a spy museum. Berlin’s building boom produced a glut of buildings, however, and the Teufelsberg project became unprofitable. The construction project was then aborted. As of the early 2000s, there has been talk of the city buying back the hill. However, this is unlikely, as the area is encumbered with a mortgage of nearly 50 million dollars. Recently the site has been vandalized heavily since the company abandoned the project.
Following the announcement of plans to raze the facility and reforest the hill, talk of preserving the facility resurfaced in 2009, spearheaded by the Field Station Berlin Veterans Group, which hopes to have the memorial named in honor of Major Arthur D. Nicholson, the last military Cold War casualty, the U.S. Military Liaison Mission tour officer who was shot and killed by a Russian sentry near Ludwig lust on March 24, 1985. After no further construction was done after 2004, in 2006 the hilltop was categorized as forest in the land use plan of Berlin, thereby eliminating the possibility of building.
Guided tours (also in English) to the former NSA field station have been offered by a student entrepreneur since February 2011. This has been the first opportunity for Berlin inhabitants (and visitors to Berlin) to legally visit the Teufelsberg area.
Villain: The US National Security Agency (NSA)
Location: Teufelsberg, Berlin
Program: Listening station, 3 listening domes, housing, offices, security and laboratory
Very valid, pithy, succinct, and on point. WD.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Very nice post, I certainly love this website, keep on it.
This really is such a awesome write-up. I’ve been looking for this information for quite a while now and then finally stumbled upon your internet site. Thanks so much for posting this, this has helped me out tremendously. By the way I love the style of the blog, looks good, did you create it all by yourself?
Thank you for another essential article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a complete way of writing? I have a presentation incoming week, and I am on the lookout for such information.
I truly enjoy examining on this web site , it has great articles .
You did a great job.
Say “thanks” you to your parents that they gave you the world
This has helped me learn something unique. Great content. Keep up the good effort and also keep on publishing more information.
This has really helped me learn something unique. Great blog post. Keep up the good job and continue posting more details.
Awesome website. Bookmarked it and shown my friends!
Keep up the Wonderful work.
Whats up dude cool place you have got here
Thanks for this post, I’m a big fan of this website would like to go on updated.
Learn More…
[...]bookmarked!!, I love your blog![...]…
Great layout! Where did you get that layout?
Thanks very intriguing information.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF VILLAINS » Blog Archive » Teufelsberg I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re amazing! Thanks! your article about THE ARCHITECTURE OF VILLAINS » Blog Archive » TeufelsbergBest Regards Lisa
I like your site
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait ..
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of THE ARCHITECTURE OF VILLAINS » Blog Archive » Teufelsberg . Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
Hi! I discovered your website accidentally today, but am really pleased that we did! Its not only entertaining, but in addition straightforward to make use of in contrast to lots that Ive viewed!
good site!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned.
I like this site very much, Its a very nice spot to read and receive info .