The hulking 1960 State Council Building is the only remaining Schlossplatz structure from the GDR era. It integrates the arched portal of the original, demolished Berlin City Palace, from which Karl Liebknecht proclaimed a socialist republic on 9 November 1918.

The colourful window in the foyer is by the East German socialist realism artist Walter Womacka and depicts scenes from the German workers' movement. Somewhat ironically, the building is now used by a private international business school financed by such blue-chip corporations as Bayer, Deutsche Bank and Siemens.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Humboldt Forum

0.08 MILES

Under construction since 2013, the Humboldt Forum is scheduled to open in 2019 or 2020 as Berlin's new cultural quarter. The humongous building itself is…

2. Neuer Marstall

0.12 MILES

The 1901 neobaroque Neuer Marstall by Ernst von Ihne once sheltered royal horses and carriages. In 1918 revolutionaries hatched plans to topple the…

3. Humboldt-Box

0.14 MILES

This futuristic structure opens up a window on the Humboldt Forum, a replica of the historic Berlin City Palace under construction next to it since 2013…

4. Schlossbrücke

0.18 MILES

Marking the transition from Unter den Linden to Museum Island, the Palace Bridge is considered among Berlin’s prettiest. Designed by Karl Friedrich…

5. Zille Museum

0.21 MILES

Like no other artist of his time, Heinrich Zille (1858–1929) managed to capture the hardships of working-class life in the industrial age with empathy and…

6. Kronprinzenpalais

0.22 MILES

Now occasionally used as an event space and for special exhibits, this froufrou baroque palace was blueprinted by Johann Arnold Nering as the residence of…

7. Palais Populaire

0.22 MILES

Contemporary art, culture and sports activities are the focus of this gallery sponsored by Deutsche Bank and set within the updated rooms of a rococo…

8. Deutsches Historisches Museum

0.23 MILES

If you’re wondering what the Germans have been up to for the past 1500 years, take a spin around the baroque Zeughaus, formerly the Prussian arsenal and…