Berlin - Gendarmenmarkt

From Friedrichstrasse it is only a few minutes' walk southwards to Gendarmenmarkt, one of Berlin's most beautiful and harmonious squares. It has as its dominant feature three large buildings forming one group - the Schauspielhaus (Theater), the French Cathedral and the German Cathedral. The square was laid out in the 17th C. and first named the Esplanade, then Lindenmarkt, Mittelstädtischer or Friedrichstädtischer Markt and finally Gendarmenmarkt, because a regiment of Gendarmerie had their guard-house and stables here from 1736-82. When the Academy of Sciences celebrated its 250th anniversary in 1950 it was named Platz der Akademie.

Having suffered considerable damage in the Second World War, most of it was rebuilt in its original form during the GDR period. Following the reunification of Berlin it was once again given the name of Gendarmenmarkt.

On the corner of Französische Strasse and Charlottenstrasse near the square stood the Lutter and Wegner tavern, where E. T. A. Hoffman (whose stories inspired Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann") was a regular customer. He also lived in the square.