Bebelplatz
Duration
30 min
Admission
Free
Best time
Afternoon
Budget
Free
About this place
Bebelplatz is one of Berlin's most historically charged squares, flanked by the State Opera, St. Hedwig's Cathedral, and the Old Royal Library on Unter den Linden. It was here in 1933 that the Nazis carried out one of their most infamous book burnings. At the centre of the square lies Micha Ullman's haunting underground memorial — an empty white library visible through a glass panel in the ground.
Tips
Take a moment to find Micha Ullman's underground memorial at the centre of the square — easy to miss but deeply moving. The square is surrounded by magnificent Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, so look up as well as down. Entry to the square is free and open at all times, making it an easy addition to a walk along Unter den Linden. Combine your visit with the nearby State Opera, Humboldt University, or a stroll toward the Brandenburg Gate just minutes away.