Berlin Palace Castle

Address: Schloßplatz, Berlin, Germany (Berlin Palace / Humboldt Forum)

Website: https://www.humboldtforum.org

Hours: Hours depend on specific institutions within the palace; public areas open daily

Admission: Some exhibitions and museums within the Schloss complex charge entrance (prices vary). Public plaza access is free.

Berlin Palace, rebuilt on the site of the former royal palace in central Berlin, is a reconstructed Baroque-style building that opened in its current form as the Humboldt Forum. It occupies a prominent position on Schlossplatz beside the Spree River in the Mitte district.

The complex contains temporary and permanent exhibition spaces, cultural institutions and conference facilities arranged behind reconstructed historic facades. The project combined recreated external architecture with modern interiors for museums and cultural programming.

The original palace was built over centuries as the residence of the electors and later kings of Prussia, suffered heavy damage in World War II and was demolished in the post-war period. Reconstruction of the palace facades and the creation of the Humboldt Forum took place in the 21st century, with the reopened cultural venue operating from 2020.

The palace sits on Schlossplatz in central Berlin, within walking distance of Museum Island, the Berlin Cathedral and major central government buildings.

• Humboldt Forum: Since its reconstruction the building houses the Humboldt Forum, a major cultural centre with exhibition spaces for art, history and ethnography.
• Architecture: The restored Baroque facades recreate the historic appearance of the palace while the interior contains modern museum and event spaces.

Berlin Palace sits on Schloßplatz on the Museum Island side of the Spree River, a short walk from U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations such as Unter den Linden/Brandenburger Tor. The area is well served by buses and pedestrian routes.

• Check for current exhibitions and the Humboldt Forum programme - the rebuilt palace complex hosts rotating shows that frequently make headlines.
• See the façade details carefully: many stones and sculptural fragments are faithful reconstructions from surviving photographs and archival drawings.
• The Spree riverbanks nearby provide an excellent vantage for architectural photos; arrive near sunset for the best light.