Between 1961 and 1990, Checkpoint Charlie used to be one of  the most famous border crossings in the world. Today the checkpoint is a striking symbol for the conquered division of the city. Every year, more and more visitors get an impression of the frosty atmosphere of the Cold War. A second glance reveals a supposed paradox: North of Checkpoint Charlie and thus in the former East, you can stroll along the boulevard Friedrichstraße, whereas the former Western part has barely developed at all. The expensive shops and stores are all to be found in what used to be the „poor East“.