Gestapo-Zentrale

Geländerundgang

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Gestapo Headquarters

Site Tour

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Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8 (1933–1945)

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Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

1. Gestapo-Zentrale / Gestapo Headquarters Marker

Das Gebäude Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8 wurde 1901–05 als Kunstgewerbeschule errichtet. Von 1933 bis 1945 war es Sitz des Geheimen Staatspolizeiamts, das in Verbindung mit der SS reichsweit zum zentralen Macht- und Terrorinstrument des NS-Regimes wurde. Hier befanden sich die Büros von Heinrich Himmler, dem „Reichsführer-SS und Chef der Deutschen Polizei“, Reinhard Heydrich, dem „Chef der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD“, und zahlreicher anderer Hauptverantwortlicher der nationalsozialistischen Gewaltverbrechen. Im Südflügel richtete die Gestapo 1933 ein „Hausgefängnis“ ein. Seit 1939 war das Gebäude auch die Zentrale des Reichssicherheitshauptamts.

Die Gestapo-Zentrale erhielt im Zweiten Weltkrieg mehrere Bombentreffer. Ein Teilabriss des zwar ausgebrannten, aber als wiederaufbaufähig eingestuften Gebäudes erfolgte 1953/54. Die Reste wurden 1956 gesprengt.

Erhalten sind bis heute der Segmentbogen des Hauptportals, Reste der Kellermauern sowie Teile des ehemaligen Bürgersteigs.

(Bildunterschriften)
Geheimes Staatspolizeiamt, Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8, um 1936.

Der preußische Ministerpräsident Hermann Göring übergibt im Hörsaal der ehemaligen Kunstgewerbeschule die Leitung der preußischen Gestapo an Heinrich Himmler (in SS-Uniform, r.), 20. April 1934.

Treppenhaus im Mitteltrakt des Gebäudes Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8, um 1936.

Dienstbesprechung im Geheimen Staatspolizeiamt, um 1936. Heinrich Himmler, „Reichsführer-SS und Chef der Deutschen Polizei“ (2. v. r.), Reinhard Heydrich, „Chef der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD“ (2. v. l.), Karl Wolff, Chef des Persönlichen Stabes Reichsführer-SS (r.), und Werner Lorenz, späterer Leiter der „Volksdeutschen Mittelstelle“.

Sprengung der Fassadenreste der ehemaligen Gestapo-Zentrale, Juni 1956.

The

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building at Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8 was built between 1901 and 1905 as a school of industrial arts and crafts. From 1933 to 1945, it was the headquarters of the Secret State Police Office, which together with the SS became the Nazi regime’s central instrument of power and terror throughout the German territories. It housed the offices of Heinrich Himmler, the Reich SS Leader and Chief of the German Police, Reinhard Heydrich, the Chief of the Security Police and the SD, and many of the other individuals who were chiefly responsible for the mass crimes of the Nazis. In the south wing, the Gestapo set up a “house prison” in 1933. From 1939 on the building was also the headquarters of the Reich Security Main Office.

Gestapo headquarters was bombed several times by the Allies during the Second World War. The building, which, although burnt-out, was considered capable of reconstruction, was partially demolished in 1953–54. The remainder was blown up in 1956.

Today one can still see the segmental arch of the main portal, remains of the cellar walls, and portions of the former sidewalk.

(Captions)
Secret State Police Office, Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8, ca. 1936.

Prussian Minister President Hermann Göring bestows the leadership of the Prussian Gestapo on Heinrich Himmler (r., in SS uniform), in the lecture hall of the old School of Industrial Arts and Crafts, April 20, 1934.

Staircase in the central tract of the building at Prinz-Albrecht-Straße 8, ca. 1936.

Internal meeting at the Secret State Police Office, ca. 1936. Heinrich Himmler, Reich SS Leader and Chief of the German Police (2nd fr. r.), Reinhard Heydrich, Chief of the Security Police and the SD (2nd fr. l.), Karl Wolff, Chief of the Reich SS Leader’s Personal Staff (r.), and Werner Lorenz, later head of the Ethnic German Liaison Office.

The façade of the former Gestapo headquarters is blown up, June 1956.
 
Erected by Topography

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

2. Gestapo-Zentrale / Gestapo Headquarters Marker

of Terror Documentation Center. (Marker Number 3.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1934.
 
Location. 52° 30.431′ N, 13° 22.988′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Mitte. It is in Berliner Innenstadt. It is on Niederkirchnerstraße just west of Wilhelmstrasse. The marker is located on the grounds of the Topography of Terror Documentation Center (free history museum). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, Berlin 10117, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Baudenkmal Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Remains of the Berlin Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Baudenkmal Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Topography of Terror (within shouting distance of this marker); Topographie des Terrors / Topography of Terror (within shouting distance of this marker); Das „Hausgefängnis“ der Gestapo-Zentrale / The “House Prison” at Gestapo Headquarters (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Hotel Prinz Albrecht (about 120 meters away); NS-Luftschutzbauten / Nazi Air Raid Protection Structures (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.

 

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

3. Gestapo-Zentrale / Gestapo Headquarters Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

4. Gestapo-Zentrale / Gestapo Headquarters Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

5. Gestapo-Zentrale / Gestapo Headquarters Marker

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.