Prinz-Albrecht-Palais

Geländerundgang

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Prinz Albrecht Palais

Site Tour

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Wilhelmstraße 102 (1933–1945)

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Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

1. Prinz-Albrecht-Palais / Prinz Albrecht Palais Marker

Das Prinz-Albrecht-Palais, als barockes „Palais Vernezobre“ 1737–39 errichtet, wurde 1830–32 von Karl Friedrich Schinkel für Prinz Albrecht von Preußen umgebaut. In der Weimarer Republik vermieteten die Hohenzollern das Palais mehrmals als Gästehaus für Staatsbesuche.

Ende 1934 bezog der Sicherheitsdienst (SD) der SS das Palais. Er wurde 1939 Teil des neu gegründeten Reichssicherheitshauptamts, das während des Zweiten Weltkriegs als europaweit agierende Zentrale des NS-Terrors für die Ermordung von Millionen Menschen verantwortlich war. 1941 begann der Ausbau des repräsentativen Palais zum Dienstsitz des Chefs des Reichssicherheitshauptamts Reinhard Heydrich, dessen Nachfolger 1943 Ernst Kaltenbrunner wurde.

Das Innere des Palais wurde im November 1943 durch Bombentreffer stark beschädigt. 1949 erfolgte die Sprengung der wiederaufbaufähigen Ruine.

Erhalten sind bis heute die Grundmauer der Kolonnade sowie die ehemaligen Auffahrten des Palais.

(Bildunterschriften)
Kolonnade und Kopfbauten des Prinz-Albrecht-Palais an der Wilhelmstraße, 1941/42.

Hauptfront des Prinz-Albrecht-Palais zum Ehrenhof an der Wilhelmstraße, um 1930.

Dienstzimmer des Chefs des Reichssicherheitshauptamts nach der Restaurierung des Palais, um 1942.

Vorhof des Prinz-Albrecht-Palais. Während der Beisetzungsfeierlichkeiten für Reinhard Heydrich begleiten die wichtigsten Amtschefs und Mitarbeiter des Reichssicherheitshauptamts den Sarg von Heydrichs Dienstsitz zur Neuen Reichskanzlei, 9. Juni 1942.

Vorn, v. l.: Arthur Nebe, Chef des Amts V (Kriminalpolizei), Bruno Streckenbach, Chef des Amts I (Personal), und Heinrich Müller, Chef des Amts IV (Gestapo).

Blick durch die zerstörte Kolonnade an der Wilhelmstraße auf die Ruine des Prinz-Albrecht-Palais, 1947.

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Prinz Albrecht Palais, built in 1737–39 as the baroque Palais Vernezobre, was remodeled by Karl Friedrich Schinkel for Prince Albrecht of Prussia in 1830–32. During the Weimar Republic, the former royal family, the Hohenzollern, rented the palace out as a guesthouse for official visitors on several occasions.

At the end of 1934, the Security Service (SD) of the SS moved into the Palais. In 1939 it became part of the newly established Reich Security Main Office, which as the headquarters of Nazi terror throughout Europe was responsible for the murder of millions during the Second World War. In 1941, work began on expanding the imposing Palais to serve as the official headquarters of the chief of the Reich Security Main Office Reinhard Heydrich, who was succeeded by Ernst Kaltenbrunner in 1943.

The Palais interior was severely damaged by bombing in November 1943. The ruins, which could have been reconstructed, were blown up in 1949.

What remains today is the foundation wall of the colonnade and the former driveways to the Palais.

(Captions)
Colonnade and façades of the Prinz Albrecht Palais on Wilhelmstraße, 1941/42.

Main façade of the Prinz Albrecht Palais facing the forecourt on Wilhelmstraße, ca. 1930.

Office of the chief of the Reich Security Main Office after the restoration of the Palais, ca. 1942.

Forecourt of the Prinz Albrecht Palais. During the funeral ceremonies for Reinhard Heydrich, the most important department heads and staff members of the Reich Security Main Office escort the coffin from Heydrich’s headquarters to the New Reich Chancellery, June 9, 1942.

Front row, fr. l.: Arthur Nebe, head of Department V (Criminal Investigation Police), Bruno Streckenbach, head of Department I (Personnel), and Heinrich Müller, head of Department IV (Gestapo).

The bombed-out Prinz Albrecht Palais seen through the ruined colonnade on Wilhelmstraße, 1947.
 
Erected by Topography

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

2. Prinz-Albrecht-Palais / Prinz Albrecht Palais Marker

of Terror Documentation Center. (Marker Number 7.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1942.
 
Location. 52° 30.395′ N, 13° 23.134′ E. Marker is in Berlin, in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. 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 10963, 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: History of Berlin’s Government Quarter (a few steps from this marker); Wilhelmstraße 102 (a few steps from this marker); Dienststellen von Gestapo und SS / Gestapo and SS Offices (within shouting distance of this marker); Prinz-Albrecht-Gelände (within

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

3. Prinz-Albrecht-Palais / Prinz Albrecht Palais Marker

shouting distance of this marker); Berliner Mauer / Berlin Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Baudenkmal Berliner Mauer (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Prinz Albrecht (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); NS-Luftschutzbauten / Nazi Air Raid Protection Structures (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.

 

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

4. Prinz-Albrecht-Palais / Prinz Albrecht Palais Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

5. Prinz-Albrecht-Palais / Prinz Albrecht Palais Marker

Looking towards the south.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 6, 2026

6. Prinz-Albrecht-Palais / Prinz Albrecht Palais Marker

Looking towards the west.

 

 
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 3 times since then. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 10, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.