Bebelplatz (Bebel Square), Berlin
After ascending to the throne in 1740, Frederick the Great took a personal interest in planning the buildings that grace this square. Initially dubbed "Forum Fridericianum" or Frederick's Forum, it was later renamed in honor of August Bebel, the 19th-century founder of Germany's Social Democratic Party, and is now surrounded by an array of impressive structures, including Humboldt University and Library, Saint Hedwig's Cathedral, the State Opera House, and the swanky Hotel de Rome.
Unfortunately, this spot is eternally associated with one of the most infamous attempts to erase history and knowledge in the 20th century. On the evening of May 10, 1933, under the direction of Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, members of the SA, SS, Nazi students, and Hitler Youth gathered at this site to set ablaze books from the university library that they deemed objectionable. Whipped up into a frenzy, the Nazis burned nearly 20,000 books that night, including the works of renowned authors such as Thomas Mann, Erich Maria Remarque, Heinrich Heine, Karl Marx, and countless others.
At the heart of the square now stands a poignant memorial by Micha Ullman, consisting of a glass-enclosed viefw into an underground chamber with empty bookshelves. Nearby, an inscription features a prophetic line from Heinrich Heine, which translates to: "Where they burn books, they ultimately burn people."
Visiting particularly in the evening or late afternoon offers an opportunity to reflect upon this tragic history. The illumination enhances the visibility of the memorial on the ground, reminding visitors of the profound consequences of intolerance and hatred.
Unfortunately, this spot is eternally associated with one of the most infamous attempts to erase history and knowledge in the 20th century. On the evening of May 10, 1933, under the direction of Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, members of the SA, SS, Nazi students, and Hitler Youth gathered at this site to set ablaze books from the university library that they deemed objectionable. Whipped up into a frenzy, the Nazis burned nearly 20,000 books that night, including the works of renowned authors such as Thomas Mann, Erich Maria Remarque, Heinrich Heine, Karl Marx, and countless others.
At the heart of the square now stands a poignant memorial by Micha Ullman, consisting of a glass-enclosed viefw into an underground chamber with empty bookshelves. Nearby, an inscription features a prophetic line from Heinrich Heine, which translates to: "Where they burn books, they ultimately burn people."
Visiting particularly in the evening or late afternoon offers an opportunity to reflect upon this tragic history. The illumination enhances the visibility of the memorial on the ground, reminding visitors of the profound consequences of intolerance and hatred.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Bebelplatz (Bebel Square) on Map
Sight Name: Bebelplatz (Bebel Square)
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Berlin, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Berlin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Berlin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Museum Island Walking Tour
One of Berlin’s most visited attractions, the Museum Island ("Museumsinsel") complex was established by order of King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1841 and houses several world-famous museums kept in close vicinity of each other. The island itself is spectacular for a walk, with wonderful architecture, statues, gardens and trees, so enjoy the atmosphere and make at least a day... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Third Reich Walking Tour
The “Third Reich” and “Nazi Germany” are the common English names for Germany between 1933 and 1945, when it was a totalitarian state led by Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. For any visitor to Berlin, the Nazi surrender that ended World War II is still a point of interest, but matching locations to those moments of history can be a challenge. On this special... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Berlin Introduction Walking Tour
Known for its turbulent past, today's German capital is a global city for international affairs, creative industries, popular media and diverse cultural tourism. The first written records of settlements in the area of present-day Berlin date from the late 12th century, when the region came under German rule as part of the Margraviate of Brandenburg, founded by Albert the Bear in 1157. Berlin... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Alexanderplatz Walking Tour
One of Berlin’s cosmopolitan hearts, Alexanderplatz (or Alexander Square) is a true hive of activity. There is always something going on here: Christmas markets, Easter fairs, buskers, performances, Oktoberfest, and the list is countless. Easily accessible, with lots of transport connections and all manner of drink and food outlets, it’s a great place to hang around, take photos, and enjoy... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tiergarten Walking Tour
Known for the huge park of the same name, which once was a royal hunting ground, the central district of Tiergarten (German for “Animal Garden”) is home to the Berlin Zoo, the Victory Column with its winged statue and the lively, lakeside Café am Neuen See.
Begin your exploration at Postdamer Platz, the historic central square of Berlin, once regarded in the same way as Piccadilly Circus... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Begin your exploration at Postdamer Platz, the historic central square of Berlin, once regarded in the same way as Piccadilly Circus... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Berlin Food Walking Tour
While Berlin may not be considered a typical foodie destination yet, recent years saw a growing number of decent places to eat, serving both German and international cuisine. At some point, the city has even earned itself the title of a vegetarian capital of the world, contrary to what one may have expected. Amid all this renaissance in creativity and culture, coupled with the influx of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Berlin Mementos: 18 Souvenir Shopping Ideas for Travelers
Too many people and for very different reasons strove to set their foot in Berlin over the course of the 20th century. Today, the city proves just as luring a destination for numerous travelers who want to come and enjoy themselves in this fascinating European capital and, perhaps, bring home...
A Self-Guided Food Walk in Berlin
Repeatedly scarred throughout its long and often depressing past, today's Berlin has made a comeback as a major bohemian hub which lures artists and creatively-minded folk from all over the globe in their droves. It may well not be considered a typical foodie destination yet, but in recent...
Best Food in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Kreuzberg is known for having great cheap, street food, particularly of the Middle Eastern variety. On almost every corner you can find a kebab or falafel shop, although the trick is knowing which to choose! While you can typically get a good, tasty wrap for €2.50-4, the quality, quantity and...
Best Cafes in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Traditionally, you may expect the cafes around Kottbusser Tor and throughout Kreuzberg to be dominated by ethnic Turks, particularly men, in rooms that do much to resemble the cafes of Istanbul.
More recently, however, the ethnically Turkish and Arab communities that have typically inhabited...
Best Bars in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Kreuzberg and "Kreuzkölln" - the area where Kreuzberg and Neukölln meet, mostly along the canal in east Kreuzberg and north of Sonnenallée in Neukölln - has a constantly and rapidly evolving bar culture that makes it one of the trendiest alternative evening and nightlife spots in...
Best Cafés and Coffee Houses of Berlin
Cafes have a certain refinery and elegance that pubs lack; there is a mellowness that is rarely found in bars and clubs, and an ease and tranquillity that is not to be found in restaurants with their steaming kitchens, heavy plates, clattering cutlery, constant complaints and corrections and,...