Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne

From barracks to Finanzamt, the Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne has seen a lot. This imposing structure on Mehringdamm has played many roles in Berlin’s vibrant history. The Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne first opened its doors between 1850 and 1854. It was designed by military architects Ferdinand Fleischinger and Wilhelm Drewitz. Originally built for the 1st Battalion of the 8th Infantry Regiment, the sheer size is impressive. It stretches 188 meters long, stands three stories tall, and boasts a striking gray, paneled cement plaster facade. The design, with its crenelated towers at each corner and grand entrance, evokes the image of a medieval castle. This effect is further enhanced by the paired arched windows. Imagine ten soldiers crammed into a 12m x 5m room. Think of the underofficers in their small apartments next to the entrance towers, complete with a living room and kitchen. Picture the bustling mess hall in the basement, a vast 20m x 12m space. The Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne wasn’t just a building. It was a small city within a city. In 1855, a riding arena and a brick stable building with four wings were added, creating three courtyards. One courtyard was used for foot drills, while the other two hosted riding exercises. Further expansions in 1889 brought more riding halls and stables, expanding the grounds to a sprawling 47,000 square meters. From 1855 to 1919, the Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne housed the prestigious 1st Garde-Dragoon Regiment “Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland”. Parts of the 2nd Garde-Dragoon Regiment “Empress Alexandra of Russia” also called this place home. These very troops stormed the Vorwärts building during the November Revolution on January 11, 1919, a dark day that resulted in the deaths of seven occupants. Over 390 prisoners were brought to the Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne, where some faced harsh treatment. A memorial plaque in the foyer serves as a somber reminder of these events. After its military days, the Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne transformed into a commercial courtyard in 1921. It has served as the Kreuzberg district’s tax office since 1923. During World War II, the area behind the main building became a hub for the arms industry, housing at least two forced labor camps. The Garde-Dragoner-Kaserne has stood as a silent witness to Berlin’s tumultuous past, from military might to wartime industry to its current role as a government building.