Allied Museum Berlin

The AlliiertenMuseum in Berlin-Dahlem documents the history of the Western Allies – the United States, Great Britain and France – in Berlin from 1945 to 1994. At the authentic site in the former American sector, the permanent exhibition “How enemies became friends” tells of occupation, the Berlin Airlift, the Cold War and the withdrawal of the troops. Original large objects such as a British airlift aircraft, the spy tunnel and the last guardhouse from Checkpoint Charlie make the history tangible. The museum shows how former wartime enemies became partners and how the Allies shaped life in West Berlin. For anyone wishing to understand post-war history and the Cold War from the perspective of the Western powers, the AlliiertenMuseum is an informative and vivid destination.

History of AlliiertenMuseum

The AlliiertenMuseum was founded after the withdrawal of the Western Allies and opened in 1998. It is located in buildings of the former American garrison on Clayallee. The exhibition spans the period from the arrival of the occupation troops in 1945 through the Berlin Airlift of 1948/49 and the decades of the Cold War to the ceremonial farewell in 1994. The collection includes documents, photographs, everyday objects and large exhibits. The museum preserves the memory of the presence of the Western powers and of the special role of West Berlin in the East-West conflict. Special exhibitions and events deepen individual themes. Today the AlliiertenMuseum is a central place of remembrance of the Allied history of Berlin and of the path to reunification.

Highlights of AlliiertenMuseum

Among the highlights of the AlliiertenMuseum are the British transport aircraft Hastings TG 503 from the time of the Airlift, of which only a few examples survive worldwide, and the authentically reconstructed Berlin spy tunnel built by American and British intelligence services from 1953. The last guardhouse from Checkpoint Charlie and segments of the Berlin Wall are further central exhibits. The permanent exhibition shows Care packages, uniforms, signs and everyday objects from garrison life. The presentation illuminates the cooperation and difficulties of the three Western powers and the changing relations with the Berliners. Large objects outdoors and the Nicholson Memorial Library complement the exhibition. The AlliiertenMuseum makes the history of the Western powers vivid and emotionally comprehensible.

Opening Hours, Tickets & How to Get to AlliiertenMuseum

The AlliiertenMuseum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Admission is free; a small fee may apply for individual large objects. The recommended duration of a visit is 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The easiest way to reach the museum is by U-Bahn line U3 to Oskar-Helene-Heim or by bus lines 115 and X83 to the Alliiertenmuseum stop. Free parking is available on the grounds. The address is Clayallee 135, 14195 Berlin. The building is wheelchair accessible. Practical advice: groups should book guided tours in advance.

Attractions Near AlliiertenMuseum

In the vicinity of the AlliiertenMuseum lie the Brücke-Museum and Domäne Dahlem. The Botanical Garden and the Museum of European Cultures are nearby. The Grunewald invites walks. The U3 provides quick connections to other parts of the city. In this way a visit to the AlliiertenMuseum can be well combined with further stations in Dahlem and Zehlendorf.