Berliner Innenstadt in Mitte, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)
Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Preußen
⎯⎯⎯
Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Prussia
Photographed by James Hulse, March 7, 2026
1. Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Preußen / Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Prussia Marker
Der Nikolaikirchplatz trägt seinen Namen erst seit 1901, obwohl der Platz schon Jahrhunderte zuvor durch eine Häuserzeile gebildet worden war. Hier handelt es sich um Repliken nach Fotografien aus den 1920er Jahren, da die ursprüngliche Bebauung Abrissen und dem Zweiten Weltkrieg zum Opfer gefallen war.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781) gilt als der bekannteste deutsche Aufklärer von europäischem Rang und als Begründer der modernen deutschen Literatur. Hier im Nikolaiviertel hatte Lessing zwischen 1752 und 1755 sein Quartier, das zugleich ein wichtiger Treffpunkt für führende Köpfe der Berliner Aufklärung (Ramler, Nicolai, Gumpertz u.a.) war. Hier und in dieser Zeit schloss Lessing Freundschaften, auch mit Moses Mendelssohn, der ihn zu seinem Drama und der Gestalt „Nathan der Weise“ (1779), einem bewegenden Plädoyer für religiöse Toleranz, inspirierte. Selbst der Monarch und Regent dieser Zeit, Friedrich II., der Große, König von Preußen, schmückte sich mit aufklärerisch anmutenden Aussprüchen. Sein wohl markantester, „Es soll ein jeder nach seiner Fasson selig werden!“, steht in auffälligem
this page online
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (um 1767)
Am Nikolaikirchplatz
Friedrich II., der Große, König von Preußen
Nikolaikirchplatz: Although this square has been bordered by houses for hundreds of years, it first received its name in 1901. The buildings currently lining the square were recreated from photographs from the 1920s, as all of the original structures were destroyed in the
Photographed by James Hulse
2. Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Preußen / Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Prussia Marker
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781) was a renowned philosopher of the Enlightenment and is regarded as the founder of modern German literature. He resided in Nikolaiviertel from 1752 to 1755, and his home was an important place of gathering for the leading figures of the Enlightenment in Berlin (including Ramler, Nicolai, and Gumpertz, among others). Lessing made a number of close friendships during the period. One friend, Moses Mendelssohn, inspired his touching plea for religious tolerance, 'Nathan the Wise', written in 1779. Even contemporary ruler Friedrich II, the King of Prussia, enjoyed making sententious remarks that invoked the spirit of the Enlightenment. ‘Everyone shall be blessed in his own way!’ Friedrich II once said, a statement which stood in contrast to his otherwise absolutist style of rule. This absolutism had practical drawbacks for Lessing: his nomination to the Academy of Arts was thwarted, and subsequent efforts to gain employment - as an official librarian, for example - were all unsuccessful in 1766. Lessing's drama 'Minria von Barnhelm' also earned him the condemnation
Photographed by James Hulse
3. Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Preußen / Nikolaikirchplatz: Lessing vs. Prussia Marker
The marker is located on the left side with the St. Nicholas Church on the right side.
In 1769, Lessing turned his back on Berlin. Deeply disappointed, he wrote a letter to Nicolai, denouncing Prussia as '... the most enslaved country in Europe up to the present day.'
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (around 1767)
At Nikolaikirchplatz
Frederick II, the Great, King of Prussia
Erected by Nikolai Viertel 1237. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 52° 31.001′ N, 13° 24.478′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Mitte. It is in Berliner Innenstadt. It is on Nikolaikirchplatz just south of Eiergasse, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Nikolaikirchpl 7, Berlin 10178, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire, the former East Germany, and at the Berlin Wall.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Titel, Namen & Spitznamen / Titles, Names & Nicknames (within shouting distance of this marker); Riesen & Wunder (within shouting distance of this marker); Knoblauchhaus & Schuberthaus / Knoblauch House & Schubert House (within shouting distance of this marker); Nikolaikirche / St. Nicholas Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nikolaikirche / St. Nicholas Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Gewiss und ungerecht / Certain and Unjust (within shouting distance of this marker); Martin Heinrich Klaproth (within shouting distance of this marker); Geschäftshaus / Commercial Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
