The Glienicke Bridge

Spy exchanges and rows about money

The Glienicke Bridge became famous as a site for spy exchanges. Imprisoned spies were exchanged on the bridge on three occasions - 10 February 1962, 12 June 1985 and 11 February 1986. But the bridge was also the scene of dramatic escapes and political conflicts. In 1984, there is an escalating quarrel about the urgent need to renovate the bridge; the West Berlin Senate is to bear the costs. However, the Senate has only the West Berlin side renovated. The GDR blocks off the bridge for a few hours. The Senate yields to pressure from the Allies. The difference in colour between the two halves of the bridge due to the separate renovation phases can still be seen today.