Alte Bibliothek

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  Alte Bibliothek

• The Faculty of Law at Humboldt University Berlin in the Alte Bibliothek.

• The Faculty of Law at Humboldt University is illuminated for the Festival of Lights.

The Alte Bibliothek is located on Bebelplatz in Berlin-Mitte, opposite the State Opera. It was built as the Royal Library of Prussia and is now used by the Humboldt University.

The Alte Bibliothek (Old Library) is one of the most beautiful sights in Berlin-Mitte. It borders Bebelplatz on the west side and stands opposite the State Opera House. The magnificent building was built as the Royal Library of Prussia and was part of the Forum Fridericianum. The curved shape of the library gave the building the nickname "Kommode" ("chest of drawers").

Royal library in the "Kommode"

Frederick the Great commissioned the construction of the Alte Bibliothek. It was built between 1755 and 1780. Its use was initially reserved for the nobility, ministers and scholars. From the opening of Berlin University in 1810, students were also able to use the library. Towards the end of the 19th century, the library had finally become too small, so a new library building was erected in the street Unter den Linden.

Alte Bibliothek now belongs to Humboldt University

On the occasion of the library's centenary in 1910, the building was handed over to the Humboldt University as a lecture hall with a new auditorium. During the Second World War, a large part of the outer walls were destroyed. In the post-war years, the library was rebuilt true to the original on the outside, but with a modern interior. To this day, the building is mainly used by the Faculty of Law at Humboldt University.

Information

• Address:
  Unter den Linden 11
  10117 Berlin
  City map
• Architectural Style: Baroque