Kronprinzenpalais

Originally built in 1663 as a private house, the palace served as the official residence for the Berlin governor from 1706. In 1732, it was converted into a Baroque palace for Crown Prince Frederick, later King Frederick II. After his ascension to the throne, Frederick ceded the palace to his brother August Wilhelm. From 1793, Crown Prince Frederick William and Luise inhabited the building, which was known as the Royal Palace from 1797 to 1840. The future Emperor Wilhelm I was born here in 1797. A late-classical redesign was carried out in 1856/57 by Johann Heinrich Strack, giving the palace its current appearance. In 1859, Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor, was born here. After the abolition of the monarchy, the Kronprinzenpalais became the New Department of the National Gallery Berlin in 1919, presenting modern art as the world's first museum for contemporary art. This era ended in 1937 with the confiscation of artworks by the National Socialists. In March 1945, the palace was severely damaged during World War II and demolished in 1961. Reconstruction took place in 1968/69, after which it served as a guesthouse for the East Berlin Magistrate. The Basic Treaty was signed here in 1972, and the Unification Treaty in 1990. Today, the Kronprinzenpalais is used for exhibitions and cultural events.