Seelow Heights
The Seelow Heights are situated around the town of Seelow, about 90 kilometers east of Berlin, and overlook the Oderbruch, the western flood plain of the River Oder, which is a further 20 kilometers to the east.
They are sometimes known as the "Gates to Berlin," because the main eastern route out of Berlin runs through them.
World War II
During April 1945, the Battle of the Seelow Heights saw some of the heaviest fighting of World War II between the German defenders and the Soviet attackers. Many localized Soviet attacks were held back by remnants of the Wehrmacht. The Soviet advances could not be held off for long. After several days of intense fighting, the Soviets managed to break through the defenses and fight their way into the German capital in the Battle of Berlin.