Its official name stemmed from the tradition of 'Palaces of Culture' across socialist countries – places offering a hub of recreational activities for citizens from across society. As such, it was more than just a government building – it also doubled as a cultural centre hosting restaurants, theatres, a disco and a bowling alley, all of which were open to the public.
Here's those lamps we promised you - and the five metre high "Glass Flower" sculpture - in the Palace of the Republic's main foyer.
© Archiv 1
One of the building's memorable design features was its distinctive interior light fixtures powered by more than 5,000 lightbulbs. That earned it the dubious nickname of Erichs Lampenladen – a lamp shop belonging to GDR leader Erich Honecker. After reunification, the building was also found to have more than 5,000 tonnes of asbestos in it, and it stood vacant from 1990 until its demolition between 2006 and 2008.
The demolition of the Palace of the Republic was opposed by 60 per cent of former East German citizens, according to one poll. Many felt its destruction was discriminatory against east Germans and east German culture, and was erasing an important part of modern German history. Work is now nearly complete on reconstructing the Berlin Palace on its original site – the new building will house a museum of African and other non-European art, two restaurants, a theatre, cinema and auditorium. Sounds familiar...
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