Glienicke Bridge
Glienicke Bridge is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Berlin audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~60 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type bridge
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Berlin Berlin guide
About Glienicke Bridge
The 'Bridge of Spies' spanning the Havel between Berlin and Potsdam, where Cold War prisoner exchanges took place including the 1962 exchange of U-2 spy pilot Francis Gary Powers.
The Glienicke Bridge, Glienicker Brücke, spans the Havel River between Berlin's Wannsee district and the city of Potsdam, and for most people it is known by a more evocative name: the Bridge of Spies. During the Cold War, the bridge served as a location for prisoner exchanges between the Eastern and Western blocs, with the exchanges taking place at the centre of the bridge, on the border between East Germany and West Berlin. The most famous exchange took place on 10 February 1962, when American U-2 spy pilot Francis Gary Powers, shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960, was exchanged for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. Two further exchanges took place in 1985 and 1986. The bridge was featured in Steven Spielberg's 2015 film 'Bridge of Spies.' Nearby, Schloss Glienicke is a neoclassical palace designed by Schinkel for Prince Karl of Prussia, set in beautiful grounds on the Havel bank.
Did you know? On 10 February 1962, U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers was exchanged for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel at the exact centre of the bridge, both walked simultaneously from opposite ends and passed each other midway.
How long should you spend at Glienicke Bridge?
Plan about ~60 min at Glienicke Bridge. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Glienicke Bridge worth visiting?
Glienicke Bridge is one of the 43 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Berlin, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Berlin
Hear the story of Glienicke Bridge
Preview the Berlin tour free in the Gingerguide app.