The Berlin Wilhelmplatz in 1933

Evolving from an ambitious new development plan for the 18th century “Friederichstadt“,  Wilhelmplatz was the central focus point of the German Empire. It had been outlined with important government buildings and was considered the political centre of Prussia and the German Empire. The plaza initially consisted of a stone - paved surface void of any foliage, but Wilhelmplatz has always been subject to modification. Karl Friedrich Schinkel converted it into a park in 1828. Schinkel positioned the 6 statues of Prussian Army Commanders, which were created by Johann Gottfried Schadow, at the plaza’s entrances and framed the park with a dual row of trees. But the buildings located on the plaza were also constantly renovated. By 1933 not one of the Palai’s, which initially framed Wilhelmplatz remained intact in its original form.