Kriminalgericht Moabit, Criminal courthouse in Moabit, Germany
Kriminalgericht Moabit is a neobaroque courthouse occupying an entire city block with two distinctive towers and a street frontage of about 210 meters. Inside, it contains 21 courtrooms accessible through 17 staircases where the majority of the city's criminal cases are heard.
The building opened in 1906 as Berlin's first electrically illuminated structure, equipped with its own power plant, elevators, and water supply. This design represented early 20th-century technological progress and reflected the imperial city's ambitions.
The entrance hall features floor tiles bearing the KCG insignia, standing for Königliches Criminalgericht and reflecting the building's imperial German roots. These details remind visitors of the structure's importance during the monarchy.
The exterior can be easily explored, though the interior with its many staircases may feel complex; best to follow marked entrances for orientation. Visitors should know that not all areas are publicly accessible and courtrooms are located throughout different sections.
The building features an intricate system of hidden passages preventing witnesses and defendants from encountering each other, as they are transported separately through distinct elevators and corridors to the courtrooms. This concealed design emphasizes architecture built not just for authority, but also for security and organization.
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