Altes Palais

The Old Palace (Altes Palais), also known as the Kaiser Wilhelm Palace, is a significant architectural landmark on the grand boulevard Unter den Linden in Berlin's Mitte district. Together with the neighboring Old Library, it forms the Forum Fridericianum. The building was constructed between 1834 and 1837 by Carl Ferdinand Langhans in the Neoclassical style and originally served as the residence of Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, who later became Emperor Wilhelm I. The Greek Revival facade of plaster and sandstone defines its appearance, with thirteen window bays facing the street. A striking feature is the central balcony, supported by four Doric columns, which also serves as a covered carriage entrance. The building is decorated with a terracotta frieze running all the way around, featuring figures and coats of arms, as well as sculpted eagles at the corners of the attic.

Historically, the palace was Wilhelm's Berlin home and seat of office for over five decades. The building's name changed along with the titles of its occupant, until it finally became the Kaiser Wilhelm Palace. During this period it was a central stage for political life, where Emperor Wilhelm regularly received the Prussian prime minister Otto von Bismarck. Empress Augusta used the rooms for social gatherings with artists and scholars. After the deaths of the imperial couple, the building became a museum-like place of remembrance. During World War II, the interior burned out completely in 1943, while the facade was largely preserved. After a long period of decay, the palace was rebuilt in 1963 and 1964. The street facades were restored, but the pergola and the eagle figures were initially removed and the rear section of the building was demolished.

Today the Old Palace houses the Faculty of Law of Humboldt University of Berlin. The interior spaces were given a modern design and structurally linked together to meet the demands of a present-day institute building. A comprehensive renovation between 2003 and 2005 restored the Neoclassical facade to its original appearance, and by 2008 the pergola on Opernplatz had also been reconstructed. You can view the building from the outside as part of the historic cityscape, while the interior is now used for university operations. An archaeological window at the level of the pergola also reveals the structural seam with the neighboring library.