Berlin day tour: Bebelplatz, Cathedral of St. Hedwig, Humboldt University and other landmarks

Continued from Berlin day tour: Zeughaus (Old Arsenal), Neue Wache (New Guard House) and Staatsoper (Berlin Opera House)

One of the historical public squares in Berlin is Bebelplatz along the Unter den Linden Avenue. It is bounded by the Cathedral of St. Hedwig (Sankt-Hedwigs-Kathedrale), the Staatsoper (Berlin Opera House) and part of Humboldt University. The square was formerly known as Opernplatz and was the site of the book burning rites by the Nazi youth groups in 1933 where about thousands of books by prominent German authors were set to fire.

A metal plaque with inscriptions to commemorate the infamous 1933 book burning ceremony at the center of the square.

One of the major landmarks in Bebelplatz is the St. Hedwig’s Cathedral, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Berlin. Its beautiful large dome and front columns makes it an imposing structure in the square. The left side of the building was undergoing renovation during our visit.

St. Hedwig’s Cathedral façade

Around Bebelplatz are the buildings of Humboldt University, with the Law Faculty building located on the square and the main building across Unter den Linden. It is the oldest university in Berlin and was home to notable alumni, professors and lecturers such as Albert Einstein, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Heinrich Heine, Max Planck and many others.

Humboldt University main building as seen from Bebelplatz facing towards Unter den Linden

Near Bebelplatz is an equestrian statue of Frederick the Great (Frederick II of Prussia) along the Unter den Linden Avenue.

The statue of Frederick the Great with the Humboldt University building in the background.

Bebelplatz was also the site of the 2006 United Buddy Bears exhibition in Berlin where more than a hundred bear sculptures were displayed around the square.

Photo credits for the United Buddy Bears exhibition: Wikipedia

Next stop: Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag