Built in 1910-1914 the Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg stands before you. Its history is rich. It began as a requirement for Lichtenberg to gain city rights. The original building was called the Oskar-Ziethen-Krankenhaus. The buildings from that era remain. They are protected as historical landmarks.
This wasn’t just any hospital. It was a symbol of progress for Lichtenberg. A 34 hectare plot was purchased for its construction. Architects Carl Mohr and Paul Weidner designed it. The design reflected modern hospital planning. Separate buildings housed different functions. There was a power plant and a supply building.
The cornerstone was laid on July 3 1911. Johannes Uhlig supervised the construction. In October 1914 the hospital opened. It boasted 450 beds. The 2.1 million Mark cost put a strain on Lichtenberg’s budget.
A section was reserved for private patients. You can still see the inscription above a doorway. The buildings all feature a simple grey scratch plaster. Ornate facade decorations are minimal.
The hospital’s name changed in 1933. It was renamed after Oskar Ziethen. He was Lichtenberg’s first mayor. He had died the previous year. The Nazi regime drastically altered the hospital’s operation. Many Jewish doctors and staff were dismissed. This caused a serious shortage of medical professionals.
A special department for hereditary pathology was established. It was linked to the later euthanasia programs. The exact activities of this department are still unclear. Records were kept strictly confidential. The war years brought further challenges. The hospital suffered extensive bomb damage. Around 200 people died. They are buried in a mass grave. A bronze plaque commemorates them.
After the war the hospital was quickly repaired. It was crucial for medical care. International aid provided essential supplies and personnel. The Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg continued to evolve. Extensions were planned but not immediately implemented. Eventually a new owner the Sana Kliniken took over in 2005.
New buildings were constructed. A new building opened in 2007. It houses the emergency room and other key departments. A mother-child center opened in 2012. The old Lindenhof children’s hospital moved there. Today the Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg continues to serve the community. It’s a modern facility built upon a rich and complex history. This site reflects both progress and the painful scars of the past.