Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Goering's Ministry of Aviation), Berlin
Back in the 1930s, in the heart of Berlin appeared a structure emblematic of power, ambition, and the chilling efficiency of the Nazi regime: Hermann G枚ring鈥檚 Ministry of Aviation. At the time of its completion, it was the largest office building in Europe鈥攁n architectural colossus and a cornerstone of the burgeoning Luftwaffe bureaucracy. Spanning an immense 112,000 square meters, this seven-story edifice comprised 2,800 rooms, over 4,000 windows, and more than 7 kilometers of corridors. It was said to embody the very essence of National Socialist intimidation鈥攎onumental, unyielding, and meticulously ordered.
Constructed in a mere 18 months, with workers laboring day and night鈥攅ven Sundays鈥攖he first 1,000 rooms were completed in just eight months. No fewer than 50 quarries supplied the stone, and by its inauguration, some 4,000 bureaucrats and their secretaries had taken up residence within its walls. The building also housed Germany鈥檚 civil aviation authority, consolidating the instruments of aerial power under one roof.
Remarkably, amid the devastation of Berlin in 1944 and 1945, the Ministry of Aviation endured. While much of the city lay in ruins, this monolithic structure escaped serious damage. In the aftermath of the Third Reich鈥檚 collapse, it passed into Soviet hands, serving as headquarters for the Soviet military administration from 1945 to 1948. During this time, between 1947 and 1949, it also became home to the German Economic Commission鈥攖he administrative nucleus of the Soviet Occupation Zone.
A new chapter unfolded in the early 1950s. Along Leipziger Street, behind the building鈥檚 imposing columns, an 18-meter mural came to life. Crafted from Meissen porcelain tiles, it was designed by artist Max Lingner with the aid of 14 craftsmen. The scene portrayed the Socialist dream鈥攕miling East Germans united as a single, contented family, gazing toward a radiant future.
Following the reunification of Germany, between 1991 and 1995, the former Nazi stronghold became the seat of the Trust Establishment charged with privatizing East Germany鈥檚 state-run enterprises. Its chairman, Detlev Rohwedder, was assassinated by terrorists of the Red Army Faction in 1991. In his memory, the building was renamed the Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus.
Since 1990, the edifice has also housed the Federal Ministry of Finance. Following extensive renovations completed in 1999, it continues to serve this role鈥攊ts long and complex history etched into every stone and corridor. A building born in tyranny, reshaped by occupation, and carried forward into democracy.
Constructed in a mere 18 months, with workers laboring day and night鈥攅ven Sundays鈥攖he first 1,000 rooms were completed in just eight months. No fewer than 50 quarries supplied the stone, and by its inauguration, some 4,000 bureaucrats and their secretaries had taken up residence within its walls. The building also housed Germany鈥檚 civil aviation authority, consolidating the instruments of aerial power under one roof.
Remarkably, amid the devastation of Berlin in 1944 and 1945, the Ministry of Aviation endured. While much of the city lay in ruins, this monolithic structure escaped serious damage. In the aftermath of the Third Reich鈥檚 collapse, it passed into Soviet hands, serving as headquarters for the Soviet military administration from 1945 to 1948. During this time, between 1947 and 1949, it also became home to the German Economic Commission鈥攖he administrative nucleus of the Soviet Occupation Zone.
A new chapter unfolded in the early 1950s. Along Leipziger Street, behind the building鈥檚 imposing columns, an 18-meter mural came to life. Crafted from Meissen porcelain tiles, it was designed by artist Max Lingner with the aid of 14 craftsmen. The scene portrayed the Socialist dream鈥攕miling East Germans united as a single, contented family, gazing toward a radiant future.
Following the reunification of Germany, between 1991 and 1995, the former Nazi stronghold became the seat of the Trust Establishment charged with privatizing East Germany鈥檚 state-run enterprises. Its chairman, Detlev Rohwedder, was assassinated by terrorists of the Red Army Faction in 1991. In his memory, the building was renamed the Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus.
Since 1990, the edifice has also housed the Federal Ministry of Finance. Following extensive renovations completed in 1999, it continues to serve this role鈥攊ts long and complex history etched into every stone and corridor. A building born in tyranny, reshaped by occupation, and carried forward into democracy.
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Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Goering's Ministry of Aviation) on Map
Sight Name: Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Goering's Ministry of Aviation)
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鈥檚 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
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 鈥淎nimal Garden鈥�) is home to the Berlin Zoo, the Victory Column with its winged statue and the lively, lakeside Caf茅 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
Berlin Introduction Walking Tour
The German capital, Berlin, is known for its turbulent past. Today, this sprawling metropolis is filled with a mix of historical resonance and modernity manifested in creative industries, popular media, and diverse cultural tourism.
The first written records of settlements in the present-day Berlin area date back to the late 12th century. In 1157, the region came under German rule as part of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The first written records of settlements in the present-day Berlin area date back to the late 12th century. In 1157, the region came under German rule as part of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Third Reich Walking Tour
The 鈥淭hird Reich鈥� and 鈥淣azi Germany鈥� 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鈥� 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
Alexanderplatz Walking Tour
One of Berlin鈥檚 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鈥檚 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
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