Berlin Palace

Quick Facts: Who was Berlin Palace?

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Berlin Palace

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Historic Prussian royal residence, rebuilt as the modern Humboldt Forum museum.

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Origins & Early Life

The Berlin Palace (German: Berliner Schloss), formerly known as the Royal Palace (German: Königliches Schloss), is a large building adjacent to Berlin Cathedral and the Museum Island in the Mitte area of Berlin. It was the main residence of the Electors of Brandenburg, Kings of Prussia and German Emperors from 1443 to 1918. Expanded by order of Frederick I of Prussia according to plans by Andreas Schlüter from 1689 to 1713, it was thereafter considered a major work of Prussian Baroque architecture. The royal palace became one of Berlin’s largest buildings and shaped the cityscape with its 60-meter-high (200 ft) dome erected in 1845. Used for various government functions after the abolition of the Hohenzollern monarchy in the 1918 revolution, the palace was damaged during the Allied bombing in World War II, and was razed to the ground by the East German authorities in 1950.

Career & Major Achievements

In the 1970s, the East German authorities erected a modernist parliamentary and cultural center on the site, known as the Palace of the Republic. After German reunification in 1990, and years of debate, particularly regarding the fraught historical legacy of both buildings, the Palace of the Republic was itself demolished in 2009. Most of the Berlin Palace's exterior was reconstructed beginning in 2013 to house the Humboldt Forum museum. The east façade of the reconstructed palace incorporates a modernist design, while the new interior combines both historicist and modernist elements. Architect Franco Stella oversaw the project and the exterior reconstruction was completed in 2020, with the last decoration being mounted in 2025.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The palace is now again among the largest in the world. The palace was originally built in the 15th century, but had changed in form throughout the next few centuries. It bears features of the Baroque style; its shape, which had been finalized by the mid-18th century, is for the most part attributed to German architect Andreas Schlüter, whose first design is likely to date from 1702, even though the palace incorporated earlier Renaissance parts as seen in 1688 by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. It was the principal residence and winter residence of the Hohenzollern kings of Prussia from 1701 to 1918. After the unification of Germany in 1871, it also became the central residence for the German Emperors, who also served as the kings of Prussia.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1443: 1443 Milestone — It was the main residence of the Electors of Brandenburg, Kings of Prussia and German Emperors from 1443 to 1918.
2. 1689: 1689 Milestone — Expanded by order of Frederick I of Prussia according to plans by Andreas Schlüter from 1689 to 1713, it was thereafter considered a major work of Prussian Baroque architecture.
3. 1701: 1701 Milestone — It was the principal residence and winter residence of the Hohenzollern kings of Prussia from 1701 to 1918.
4. 1702: 1702 Milestone — It bears features of the Baroque style; its shape, which had been finalized by the mid-18th century, is for the most part attributed to German architect Andreas Schlüter, whose first design is likely to date from 1702, even though the palace incorporated earlier Renaissance parts as seen in 1688 by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger.
5. 1845: 1845 Milestone — The royal palace became one of Berlin’s largest buildings and shaped the cityscape with its 60-meter-high (200 ft) dome erected in 1845.
6. 1871: 1871 Milestone — After the unification of Germany in 1871, it also became the central residence for the German Emperors, who also served as the kings of Prussia.
7. 1918: 1918 Milestone — Used for various government functions after the abolition of the Hohenzollern monarchy in the 1918 revolution, the palace was damaged during the Allied bombing in World War II, and was razed to the ground by the East German authorities in 1950.
8. 1990: 1990 Milestone — After German reunification in 1990, and years of debate, particularly regarding the fraught historical legacy of both buildings, the Palace of the Republic was itself demolished in 2009.
9. 2013: 2013 Milestone — Most of the Berlin Palace's exterior was reconstructed beginning in 2013 to house the Humboldt Forum museum.
10. 2020: 2020 Milestone — Architect Franco Stella oversaw the project and the exterior reconstruction was completed in 2020, with the last decoration being mounted in 2025.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Berlin Palace

True or False: “The Berlin Palace was initially built in the 15th century to serve as a fortification guarding the crossing of the Spree River.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Frederick II laid the foundations for Berlin's first fortification in 1443 at this location.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Berlin Palace