Berlin TV Tower framed by urban buildings
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Questions about the subject, usage, technology & more
Why does the Berlin TV Tower have a cross-shaped reflection on its sphere?
When sunlight hits the stainless steel sphere of the Berliner Fernsehturm at certain angles, it creates a cross-shaped light reflection visible across the city. East Berlin's atheist authorities found this deeply ironic, and the phenomenon quickly became known as the 'Pope's Revenge' or 'St. Walter's Cross,' a nickname still used today.
How can this photo be used?
This stock photo works well for travel magazines, city guides, and Berlin campaigns that need an unconventional take on the landmark. The analog aesthetic makes it a strong fit for cultural publications, exhibition projects, or book covers with an urban focus. The commercial license available on Kataloop covers use in advertising, print, and digital media.
What mood does this photo convey?
The narrow gap between buildings through which the TV Tower appears creates a sense of accidental discovery in everyday urban life. The muted earth tones of the facades and the flat, even light of the overcast sky give the image a calm, understated quality. This is not a tourist shot but an incidental moment in the city.
What equipment was used to capture this photo?
Shot on analog film with the Minolta X-700 and the Minolta MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.4, this urban photo captures the distinctive grain and smooth tonal range characteristic of film photography. The fast Rokkor lens delivers clean rendering even under Berlin's overcast sky. The X-700 is considered one of the last great Minolta SLRs of the analog era, known for its reliable automatic exposure metering.
What visual style or trend does this photo represent?
The image reflects the ongoing trend toward analog aesthetics, where film grain and muted tones are valued as a counterpoint to overly polished digital imagery. At the same time, the understated perspective on a well-known landmark represents a broader shift toward authentic urban photography that favors everyday viewpoints over postcard angles.
Between weathered plaster facades and a plain metal fence, the sphere of the Berlin TV Tower appears, as captured in this analog photo. Located at Alexanderplatz, the Fernsehturm stands 368 meters tall, making it the tallest structure in Germany and a defining symbol of the city. Completed in 1969, it draws millions of visitors each year who enjoy panoramic views across Berlin from the observation deck at 203 meters.
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Berlin is one of Europe's most dynamic capitals, combining layered history with a forward-looking creative culture in a way few cities can match. Exploring the city means encountering prefab concrete blocks alongside ornate pre-war facades, international galleries next to neighborhood bakeries. The Mitte district around Alexanderplatz in particular offers a dense mix of postwar architecture, iconic landmarks, and everyday urban life that continually provides fresh visual material for photographers and creatives.

