Bebelplatz

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• «Staatsoper für Alle» on Bebelplatz

• There is a memorial on Bebelplatz in memory of the book burning. On May 10, 1933, the books of independent writers, journalists, philosophers and scientists were burned in front of a large audience on Bebelplatz.

• St. Hedwig's Cathedral on Bebelplatz in Berlin's city center.

• A man lies in a hammock on Bebelplatz and reads. The "StadtLesen" campaign made a stop on the square. Bookworms were able to choose from a wide range of literature and read in the open air.

Bebelplatz gives an idea of how people imagined a beautiful city almost 300 years ago. The Nazis desecrated the place with the burning of books, which is commemorated today by a memorial.

Bebelplatz in Berlin is located in the center of the city. It is not only surrounded by numerous sights, but with its eventful history is itself an important place in the city. Bebelplatz owes its name to the internationally renowned social democrat August Bebel. However, the square was only given this name in 1947.

Sights at Bebelplatz

The city square was created as part of the Forum Fridericianum in 1740, commissioned by Frederick the Great. According to the plans of Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, a square in the rococo style was created. On its northern side it borders the boulevard Unter den Linden and the Berlin State Opera, on the eastern side is the Princesses' Palace, to the south is St. Hedwig's Cathedral and on the western side the square borders the Alte Bibliothek (Old Library) and the Altes Palais (Old Palace).

Original facades, modern interior

One of the most important buildings on Bebelplatz is the State Opera House. It originally gave today's Bebelplatz the name Opernplatz. The beautiful facades of the historic buildings still look as they did before 1943 - a unique feature of Bebelplatz in Berlin. Behind the facades, however, there are more modern buildings in most cases.

Nazi era: Book burning on Bebelplatz

The square became sadly famous during the Nazi era. On May 10, 1933, the book burning took place on Bebelplatz. Over 20,000 books were burned because the National Socialists considered them to be of an "un-German spirit". Among the books burned in Berlin were copies by Erich Kästner, Heinrich Heine, the Mann family, Lion Feuchtwanger, Karl Marx, Else Lasker-Schüler and many other authors.

Memorial "Sunken Library"

The memorial entitled "Library" on Bebelplatz commemorates this sad event. Through a glass panel on the square, visitors can look into an eight-metre-deep underground room containing empty shelves. They provide space for the 20,000 books that were burned.

Bebelplatz as a backdrop for cultural events

Thanks to its historic facades, Bebelplatz is a special highlight every year during the Festival of Lights. During the festival, buildings such as the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Hedwig Cathedral and many other sights on Bebelplatz are artistically illuminated. Another annual highlight is the open-air event Staatsoper für alle. The event offers a wide audience music at the highest artistic level and is an integral part of Berlin's cultural life.