Berliner Innenstadt in Mitte, Germany — Northeast German Plain (The European Plain)

Ephraims Mobilie
⎯⎯⎯
Ephraim’s Movable Palace

Photographed by James Hulse, March 7, 2026

1. Ephraims Mobilie / Ephraim’s Movable Palace Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

German:
Für ein Gebäude erstaunlich weit gereist: Das Ephraim-Palais. Das 1762 bis 1769 von F.W. Diterichs errichtete Rokokopalais wich 1936 Baumaßnahmen am Mühlendamm (→ Tafeln 5, 19). Im späteren Westberlin wurde die Fassade für den geplanten Wiederaufbau der „schönsten Ecke Berlins“ gelagert. Der Zweite Weltkrieg und die Teilung Berlins verhinderten jedoch für lange Zeit die Heimkehr der Immobilie. Nach Überlegungen, die Bauteile für den geplanten jüdischen Teil des Berlin-Museums zu verwenden, entschied sich der Westberliner Senat schließlich, die Fassade dem Berliner Magistrat (DDR) zur Verfügung zu stellen - für das zur 750-Jahr-Feier Berlins auferstehende Nikolaiviertel. 1987 originalgetreu und um 12m versetzt wiedererrichtet, dient der Architekturschatz heute dem Stadtmuseum Berlin als prachtvoller Rahmen für wechselnde Ausstellungen. Als Remineszenz an das Wartenbergpalais (→ Tafel 17) und dessen Architekten erhielt ein Saal des Ephraim-Palais die so genannte Schlüterdecke, eine Kopie des Originals.

Veitel Ephraim († 1775) ist Finanzier und Münzpächter Friedrich II., des Großen, König

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von Preußen. Auch während dessen mehr oder minder aufgeklärter Herrschaft (→ Tafel 6) genießen Juden keinesfalls volle Rechte, sondern sind in Klassen eingeteilt. Rechtlose Betteljuden werden immer wieder des Landes verwiesen. Als „privilegierter Schutzjude“, Münzer und Finanzier des Königs, wird Ephraim als der Verantwortliche für fragwürdiges Finanzgebaren des Regenten wahrgenommen. Die auf königliche Anordnung hin im Silbergehalt geminderten Münzen heißen im Volk Ephraimiten, nicht etwa Friedrichstaler“. Ephraim hat, wie auch seine Vorgänger (→ Tafel 9), eine gewisse Blitzableiterfunktion, schafft es aber seine Position unbeschadet zum beiderseitigen Vorteil zu nutzen. Seine Profite investiert er in den Aufbau verschiedener Manufakturen - ein Beitrag zum stattfindenden Aufschwung Berlins.

„Schlüterdecke“ (Ausschnitt)
Molkenmarkt, Mühlendamm und Ephraim-Palais (1930)

English:
Crossing borders: Ephraim Palais has travelled quite far for a building. In 1936 the Rococo palace was relocated to the western half of the city to allow for the broadening of Mühlendamm (panels 5 & 19). There, the façade was put in storage

Photographed by James Hulse, March 7, 2026

2. Ephraims Mobilie / Ephraim’s Movable Palace Marker

The Profit & Pogrom marker is located on the left side, and the Ephraims Mobilie marker is located on the right side.

with the intention that 'Berlin's most beautiful corner' would later be reconstructed. The Second World War and the division of Berlin prevented the return of the building to its original site. After plans were considered to use elements of the building in the construction of a new Jewish department in the former Berlin-Museum, the West Berlin senate decided to offer the façade to the East German magistrate of Berlin - for Nikolaiviertel, which was being redeveloped in celebration of Berlin's 750th anniversary. Rebuilt true to the original, but with 12 m offset, the architectural treasure is used by the Stadtmuseum Berlin as a gorgeous setting for changing exhibitions. As an homage to Wartenbergpalais (→ panel 17) and its architect, one of the saloons of Ephraim Palais was outfitted with a replica of the so-called 'Schlüter ceiling'.

Money and enlightentment:
Veitel Ephraim († 1775) was the financer and master of the mint under Friedrich II, King of Prussia. During Friedrich's more or less enlightened reign (→ panel 6), Jews did not enjoy full civil rights. Instead, they were divided into classes, and Jewish beggars

Photographed by James Hulse, March 7, 2026

3. Ephraims Mobilie / Ephraim’s Movable Palace Marker

The markers are located in a small green space next to the Poststraße.

were regularly expelled from the kingdom. As a Jew and master of the mint, privileged and protected by the King, Ephraim, like his predecessors (→ panel 9), was viewed as the actor behind the King's questionable financial decisions. Coins minted with reduced silver content by order of the king were thus known labelled by the public as 'Ephraimites'. Ephraim was a lightning rod of sorts, but managed to leverage his position for the benefit of all. He invested his earnings in various factories, thus contributing to Berlin's industrial development.

“Schlüter ceiling” (detail) Molkenmarkt, Mühlendamm, and Ephraim Palace (1930)

Erected by Nikolai Viertel 1237. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1762.

Location. 52° 30.966′ N, 13° 24.443′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Mitte. It is in Berliner Innenstadt. It is on Poststraße just south of Nikolaikirchpl., on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Poststraße 4/5, Berlin 10178, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it

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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: Profit & Pogrom (here, next to this marker); Ephraim-Palais / Ephraim Palace (a few steps from this marker); Geschäftshaus / Commercial Building (a few steps from this marker); Museum für Leibesübungen / Museum of Physical Exercise (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); Knoblauchhaus / Knoblauch House (within shouting distance of this marker); Eisernes Preußen & Tapfere Müller / Iron Prussia & Brave Müller (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 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 10, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.

Ephraims Mobilie⎯⎯⎯Ephraim’s Movable Palace

Ephraims Mobilie
⎯⎯⎯
Ephraim’s Movable Palace