The New Guardhouse in Berlin

type: Article , Topic: State symbols

Symbol and site of official ceremonies

Since 1993, the New Guardhouse (Neue Wache) on Unter den Linden boulevard in Berlin has been the Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Victims of War and Tyranny.

Since its completion in 1818, the New Guardhouse has been the site of official ceremonies: as royal guardhouse, historical monument and central memorial. Selected examples are described in the photo gallery.

New Guardhouse Symbol and site of official ceremonies

After the Wars of Liberation which ended the Napoleonic occupation of Germany, Karl Friedrich Schinkel built the New Guardhouse between 1816 and 1818 as a new royal guard-house for the Prussian King Frederick William III who lived at the Kronprinzenpalais on the opposite side of the boulevard Unter den Linden. The monuments to the commanders of the Wars of Liberation in front of the New Guardhouse (Count Bülow to the left and Lieutenant General von Scharnhorst to the right) were designed by Christian Daniel Rauch.

The New Guardhouse in 1903

Source: LAB II 3175 Waldemar Titzenthaler, 1903

The New Guardhouse in 1903 (Larger version opens in new window)

We wish to thank:

  • Archives of the federal state of Berlin
  • Federal Government's Press and Information Office