Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dozen years. The plinth is decorated with a parade of German military men, scientists, artists
and thinkers.
MEMORIAL
BEBELPLATZ
In 1933, books by Brecht, Mann, Marx and other 'subversives' went up in flames on this
treeless square during the first full-blown public book burning, staged by the Nazi German
Student League. Named for August Bebel, the cofounder of Germany's Social Democratic
Party (SPD), it was first laid out in the 18th century under Frederick the Great.
Then called Opernplatz (Opera Square), it was intended to be the hub of the Forum
Fridericianium, a cultural centre envisioned by the king. Money woes meant that only some
of the buildings could be realised: the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (State Opera House), the
Alte Königliche Bibliothek (Old Royal Library), a palace for the king's brother Heinrich
(now the Humboldt University) and the copper-domed St-Hedwigs-Kathedrale.
HISTORIC BUILDING
ALTE KÖNIGLICHE BIBLIOTHEK
Thanks to its curvaceous facade, this handsome baroque building is nicknamed
Kommode
(chest of drawers). Built under Frederick the Great to shelter the royal book collection, it has
been part of the Humboldt University since 1914. It now houses the university's law school.
Lenin used to hit the topics in the Reading Room behind the central columns.
HISTORIC BUILDING
STAATSOPER UNTER DEN LINDEN
Berlin's opulent state opera was commissioned as the royal opera house by Frederick the
Great and designed by his friend and master architect Georg Wenzelslaus von Knobelsdorff.
It has graced Bebelplatz since 1742 and risen from the ashes three times. Again in need of
an overhaul, the famous song palace will remain closed until at least 2015. Since 1992
Argentine-Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim has swung the lead baton as music director.
CHURCH
ST-HEDWIGS-KATHEDRALE BERLIN
3; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, 1-5pm Sun; 100, 200, Hausvogteiplatz)
This copper-domed church (1773) was commissioned by Frederick the Great, designed by
Knobelsdorff, modelled after the Pantheon in Rome and named for the patron saint of
Silesia. Restored after WWII, its circular, modern interior is lidded by a ribbed dome and
