Palace of the Republic

The Palace of the Republic was a modern structure with bronze-tinted windows and white marble in central Berlin-Mitte. The building was designed to function both as a government venue and as a public gathering and cultural space.

The building rose after World War II and opened in April 1976, roughly 1,000 days after construction began. Its closure in 1990 marked the end of its use, after which demolition in 2006 cleared the way for reconstruction of the historic Berlin City Palace.

The name Palace referenced the royal history of buildings that previously occupied this site, even though the structure served political gatherings and leisure activities. Visitors recall the many round light fixtures in the grand foyer and comfortable leather seating where people met and conversed.

The building no longer stands, but a line on the ground marks where it once was. A nearby museum displays a large-scale model and some original preserved components for visitors to view.

Inside the structure were a bowling alley and nightclub alongside official government rooms, making it a multipurpose venue. Active secret listening rooms monitored proceedings during political sessions.

Location: Berlin-Mitte

Inception: 1976

Architects: Heinz Graffunder, Wolf-Rüdiger Eisentraut, Manfred Prasser, Heinz Aust

Official opening: April 23, 1976

Architectural style: modern architecture

Height: 32 m

Length: 180 m

Width: 100 m

GPS coordinates: 52.51755,13.40236

Latest update: December 8, 2025 08:20