Justice’s silent gaze greets you. This is the Landgericht Berlin Dienststelle Moabit. Its imposing presence dominates the cityscape. This is more than just a courthouse. It’s a silent witness to Berlin’s tumultuous history.
The Landgericht Berlin Dienststelle Moabit boasts a rich past. It stands on the site of the old Kriminalgericht Moabit. Built between 1877 and 1881 the original building was a marvel. It cost a staggering three million Marks. That’s roughly 27 million Euros today. The old building was unfortunately largely destroyed during World War II. Only a portion of the cell block survived. It remains a stark reminder of the past.
The building you see before you today is the “new” Kriminalgericht. It was erected between 1902 and 1906. Its architects Paul Thoemer and Jean Fasquel created a masterpiece of Wilhelminian architecture. The building is enormous. It occupies an entire city block. It is a testament to the power of the Prussian judicial system. The building was state of the art for its time. It had its own power plant. There were elevators central heating and a private telephone system. Even its ventilation system was exceptional. It allowed prisoners to be moved discreetly. This was meant to avoid unwanted encounters with the public.
Notice the sculptures. The goddess Justitia stands proudly above the main entrance. Another Justitia graces the interior. Her raised fingers seem to declare “Truth guides those who enter.” The two towers rise sixty meters into the sky. The street facade stretches for 210 meters along Turmstrasse.
The Landgericht Berlin Dienststelle Moabit has seen it all. High profile cases have unfolded within these walls. The trial of the Captain of Köpenick was held here. So were cases related to the La Belle discotheque bombing and the Mykonos restaurant bombing. The trials of prominent SED members including Erich Honecker and Erich Mielke also took place here. This building has witnessed history firsthand. It is a landmark of Berlin’s judicial history.
Today the Landgericht Berlin Dienststelle Moabit continues its important work. It is the largest criminal court in Europe. It houses hundreds of judges prosecutors and staff. It processes thousands of cases annually. This institution isn’t just a building. It is a symbol of justice. A silent observer of Berlin’s story.