Imagine stepping onto Burgstraße in Berlin. This seemingly unassuming street holds centuries of history. It is one of Berlin’s oldest thoroughfares its name dating back to the late 17th century. The street’s name honors the princely castle from the 15th century located on the opposite Spree River bank.
Burgstraße’s history is deeply intertwined with the development of Berlin. In medieval times the street ran along the Spree River’s eastern bank. It bordered the Holy Ghost and Nikolai quarters. Old street names like “Hinter dem Wursthofe” near today’s Friedrichsbrücke and “An der langen Brücke am Wasser” near the Rathausbrücke remain as echoes of that time.
The street played host to significant buildings and events. Between 1702 and 1704 Count Johann Kasimir Kolbe von Wartenberg’s palace was built. It stood from Burgstraße to Poststraße. This building is an example of the street’s historical importance. After Wartenberg’s removal from office it became the “Old Post Office”.
Around 1750 the city walls came down. Burgstraße was extended to the present-day Stadtbahntrasse. The southern part of the street was extended further. The entire waterfront street was given its current name.
Frederick II founded a military academy at Burgstraße 19 in 1765. From 1810 onwards it served as the General War School and later the Prussian War Academy. This reflects the military significance of the area.
At Burgstraße 26 stood the Palais Itzig. It was rebuilt by Oberbaurat August Gotthilf Naumann. It housed the banking business of Mendel Oppenheim and Wolff. The Palais was demolished in 1857. The Berlin Stock Exchange was built there. This is a testament to Berlin’s economic changes.
In the late 19th century several hotels lined Burgstraße. They took advantage of the prime location. These catered to tourism and business needs. The area was a lively business district between the Marienkirche and Nikolaikirche.
In 1895 Circus Busch opened its main building near the street. It stood between the Stadtbahn the Spree and the street. Sadly it was destroyed in 1937 during Nazi urban planning.
During the Nazi era buildings 26 and 28 housed the Gestapo headquarters. Its Jewish Affairs department organized the deportation of more than 50000 Berlin Jews. Many buildings on Burgstraße were destroyed in World War II.
After the park’s creation the street was interrupted. A promenade was created in its place. The remaining sections kept the name Burgstraße. In 1978 a section of Littenstraße was added to Burgstraße. The waterfront section between Friedrichsbrücke and Karl-Liebknecht-Straße was removed. The Palasthotel was built there in 1979.
The area around Burgstraße was a place of fear for Berlin’s Jewish community. It was close to the neighborhoods of the poor and traditional “East Jews”. The street has seen change and upheaval for centuries. This makes it a powerful reminder of Berlin’s turbulent past. But also its resilience.