Admiral Palast

The beautiful building that you see across the street, with its large ionic columns and countless decorative moldings, is one of the few grand entertainment halls from the early 20th century that is still used in Berlin today. This is the Admiral Palast. Its construction is linked to the accidental discovery of an artesian saltwater spring during excavation work on Friedrichstrasse station. An artesian spring is an underground water source that rises naturally to the surface when drilled. The decision was made to exploit this resource, and in 1873, public baths were built under the name Admiralsgartenbad. The establishment proudly claimed to have the most beautiful and modern bathing facilities in Europe. You have to picture this in the context of the brutal cholera epidemic of the 1860s, which claimed thousands of lives and made hygiene a huge concern for the public. In 1910, the building was demolished to make way for the one you see before you now, which became a major entertainment venue spanning four floors. This place was extraordinary. It still featured Russian-style Roman baths and luxurious swimming pools, but also included a billiard room, bowling alleys, an opulent theater, a café, and, most impressively: an indoor ice rink, where ice-skating shows and hockey matches were held. At the time, the Admiral was the only ice palace of its kind in the world! About ten years later, the building became the ultimate hotspot for variety shows and cabarets. Whilst it was closed during the war, it later served as a temporary home for the German National Opera for ten years. In 2006, after much-needed renovations and modernization, the new Admiral Theater opened its doors. Today, it hosts major theater productions and popular musicals. So, if you’re looking to enjoy a grand show in a place flowing with history, you now know where to go. Now, retrace your steps and take the street that opens to your left, just before the bridge.