They paved paradise and put up a parking lot. But before the concrete jungle swallowed it whole Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz pulsed with life. Imagine this square in its heyday.
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz a vital square in Berlin’s Mitte district. It stood at the crossroads of Wilhelmstrasse and Vossstrasse. Its history stretches back to 1721. Part of Friedrichstadt’s expansion the square initially was called Wilhelms-Markt. It received its final name in 1749 honoring King Frederick William I. This Soldier King heavily influenced the area’s architectural development.
Thirty grand townhouses lined the northern Wilhelmstrasse and Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz itself. These elegant residences housed military personnel court representatives and state officials. The state subsidized their construction. Some sources suggest the contractors felt more burdened than honored by this project. Duty however bound them to Friedrichstadt’s expansion.
The Palais Marschall a magnificent structure served as a focal point. Its placement ensured stunning views down Mohrenstrasse later renamed Zietenplatz. Architect Carl Friedrich Richter designed the neighboring Palais Schulenburg. It became the Imperial Chancellor’s seat in 1878. Both palaces boasted expansive gardens providing fruit and vegetables for Berlin’s markets. These gardens later became known as the Ministergaerten.
Another significant structure was the Ordenspalais built in 1737. This housed the Order of Saint John. Statues of Prussian military generals graced Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz. These imposing marble figures later replaced with bronze copies. They stood for over a century until World War II. After the war many were hidden. A Prussian Renaissance in the 1980s led to their rediscovery and partial reinstallation. Some now stand near the historic location on Zietenplatz.
The 19th century brought changes. Karl Friedrich Schinkel redesigned Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz transforming it into a park-like setting. The Palais Schulenburg briefly belonged to Sophie von Dohnaff and then Anton Radziwill. Radziwill hosted a prominent salon. A performance of Goethe’s Faust I occurred there in 1820. In 1869 Prussia purchased the Palais for its chancellery.
The area evolved into a government quarter. Ministries and foreign envoys established offices near Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz. The Ordenspalais housed military departments and then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By the end of the 1800s the square’s atmosphere shifted from aristocratic elegance to a more business-like ambience. Few cafes existed.
After 1871 Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz was at the heart of the German Empire. New government buildings rose. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs occupied the south side. The Imperial Treasury took over a corner building. The Ministry of Public Works expanded its presence. Chancellor Otto von Bismarck chose the Palais Radziwill as his chancellery. The area suffered heavy damage in World War II. Most structures were destroyed. In 1950 Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz was renamed Thaelmannplatz. Apartment buildings now stand where the vibrant square once was. Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz’s legacy though remains a testament to Berlin’s rich history and ever-changing face.