Palace of the Republic

🏗️ Construction and Context

Construction of the Palast der Republik commenced in 1973, with an estimated cost ranging from 485 million to 1 billion East German marks. It was erected on the grounds of the former Berlin Palace (Stadtschloss), a Prussian royal residence demolished in 1950 due to wartime damage and its perceived association with Prussian imperialism. The site, previously used for parades and parking, was designated for this ambitious new structure to house the Volkskammer, the unicameral legislature of the GDR.

Designed by Heinz Graffunder, the building featured a distinctive facade of brown mirror-glass. Influenced by the concept of "Palaces of Culture," it was intended as a multi-use facility, common in socialist states, offering diverse amenities to the public. Its innovative design included a self-supporting steel skeleton and utilized approximately 5,000 tons of asbestos for fire protection, a material later found to be a significant health hazard.

🗣️ Seat of Power and Culture

Officially inaugurated on April 23, 1976, the Palace opened its doors to the public two days later. It became the venue for numerous significant cultural, political, and social events of the GDR. The Great Hall, a vast hexagonal space, was particularly notable for its adaptability, featuring a variable stage that could range from 170 to 1,000 square meters, accommodating between 1,000 and 4,500 attendees. It hosted broadcasts of the popular entertainment program Ein Kessel Buntes, concerts by renowned orchestras and artists such as Kurt Masur, Harry Belafonte, Karel Gott, and Udo Lindenberg, and performances by international acts like Tangerine Dream and Santana.

The ruling Socialist Unity Party (SED) held its party congresses within its walls. A state gala attended by Mikhail Gorbachev marked the 40th anniversary of the GDR in October 1989. Critically, it was within the Palace that the Volkskammer decided on August 22, 1990, on the accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic of Germany, a pivotal moment leading to German reunification on October 3, 1990.

The building acquired several nicknames, including "Palazzo Prozzo" (a play on "showing off") and "Erichs Lampenladen" ("Erich Honecker's lamp shop"), referencing its opulent chandeliers and its association with the GDR leader.

⚠️ Closure and Demolition

Just two weeks before German reunification, on September 19, 1990, the Volkskammer decreed the closure of the Palace of the Republic to the public due to widespread asbestos contamination. Following the dissolution of the Volkskammer on October 2, 1990, the building became vacant. By 2003, asbestos removal and interior/exterior fittings were completed, making the structure safe for either reconstruction or deconstruction.

In November 2003, the Bundestag voted to demolish the Palace and reconstruct the Berlin Palace, leaving the site as parkland in the interim. This decision faced considerable opposition from many former East Germans who viewed the Palace as an integral part of their cultural heritage and the historical narrative of reunification. Despite protests, demolition commenced on February 6, 2006. Initially projected to last 15 months and cost €12 million, the process was delayed by further asbestos discoveries, extending completion to late 2008. Approximately 35,000 tons of steel from the structure were repurposed for the construction of the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates.

🏗️ Berlin Palace Reconstruction

Following the Bundestag's decision in January 2006 to rebuild the Berlin Palace, a subsequent vote in 2008 confirmed the plans. The project, named the Humboldt Forum, stipulated that three of its facades would be faithful replicas of the original palace, while the interior and the fourth facade would adopt a modern design. The reconstructed palace was designed to house the Humboldt University of Berlin's collections and galleries of non-European art.

Italian architect Francesco Stella was selected for the project in November 2008. Reconstruction began in 2015 and was completed in 2020, with the building opening to the public in 2021. Some elements from the former Palace of the Republic, such as its globe chandeliers and an original sign, are preserved and displayed within the new structure.

🏛️ The Volkskammer's Chamber

The Palace of the Republic served as the primary venue for the Volkskammer, the unicameral parliament of East Germany. Its chambers hosted legislative sessions, state ceremonies, and significant political events. The building's design reflected the GDR's political ideology, aiming to present a modern, accessible, and representative public space.

🎭 A Center for Arts and Entertainment

Beyond its governmental functions, the Palace was a vibrant cultural center. It featured multiple auditoria, art galleries, a theatre, and a cinema. Its numerous restaurants and cafes, including five beer halls and a discotheque, catered to a wide public audience. Recreational facilities such as a bowling alley, billiards rooms, and an indoor swimming pool further enhanced its role as a multifaceted public institution.

⭐ Notable Events and Performances

The Palace's Great Hall was a stage for diverse performances. It hosted concerts by international artists like Harry Belafonte and Udo Lindenberg, and bands such as Tangerine Dream, who famously performed behind the Iron Curtain. The hall's adaptable stage and seating arrangements made it suitable for large-scale entertainment programs, political rallies, and official celebrations, solidifying its status as a central landmark in East Berlin's cultural and political life.

🏗️ Rebuilding the Palace Site

The decision to reconstruct the Berlin Palace on the site of the former Palace of the Republic was confirmed by the Bundestag in January 2006. The project, known as the Humboldt Forum, was designed to blend historical reconstruction with modern architectural elements. Three of its facades were intended to be exact replicas of the original palace, while the interior and the fourth facade would feature contemporary design.

🌍 A New Cultural Institution

The Humboldt Forum was conceived as a major cultural institution, housing the ethnographic collections of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Humboldt University of Berlin's collections of non-European art. Italian architect Francesco Stella was appointed to lead the project in November 2008. Construction commenced in 2015 and was completed in 2020, with the building officially opening its doors to the public in 2021.

As a nod to its predecessor, certain elements from the Palace of the Republic, including its distinctive globe chandeliers and an original sign, have been preserved and are exhibited within the new Humboldt Forum, linking the site's past and present.

🖼️ Documenting the Palace

While direct image display is restricted, historical records and photographs document various facets of the Palace of the Republic's existence and transformation. These visual archives offer insights into its architectural grandeur, its role in state functions, and its eventual dismantling.

• Inaugural Events: Images from the palace's opening in 1976 often feature Erich and Margot Honecker attending official banquets, highlighting its significance as a state symbol.
• Architectural Presence: Photographs from the 1970s and 1980s showcase the Palace alongside landmarks like the Fernsehturm (TV Tower), illustrating its integration into the East Berlin skyline.
• Interior Spaces: Visual records capture the Palace's interior, including its grand foyer illuminated by numerous lights, and the central hall used for major political congresses, such as the 11th SED Party Congress in 1986.
• Transition and Demolition: Later images depict the building in its final years, showing the state of the central hall after asbestos removal and interior furnishings were cleared, as well as the ongoing demolition process in September 2007.

📜 References