Alte Bibliothek, Berlin

Formerly the royal library, this elegant baroque building on Bebelplatz is affectionately known by Berliners as the 'commode', in reference to the building's similarity to an antique chest of drawers. Less cruel is the comparison with classic Viennese architecture: the design was based upon plans drawn up for the majestic Hofburg Palace in Vienna and as the Prussians worked faster than the Austrians, the copy was finished before the original! A fine example of Viennese flair combined with Prussian grandiosity, the building was severely damaged during the War, but was reconstructed and reopened in 1969. The Alte Bibliotek is now used as a lecture theatre by the Humboldt University . For more information, please contact the Berlin Tourism Board at the phone number listed above.