German State Opera House Deutsche Staatsoper

Must-see attractions nearby: Brandenburg Gate Charlottenburg Palace Pergamon Museum Gendarmenmarkt Zoological Gardens Under the Lime-Trees Avenue Museum of Applied Art

In the Second World War it was burnt down in 1941, rebuilt and then destroyed again in February, 1945. At the suggestion of the first East German President Wilhelm Pieck rebuilding began once more in 1951 (architects Richard Paulick and Kurt Hemmerling), and in September of 1955 the new Opera House was inaugurated with a performance of Wagner's "Mastersingers." The house has seating for 1,452. The program includes opera, ballet and concerts. In 1986, after thirty continuous years of performance, the house was extensively restored and the equipment modernized. It was reopened on Nov. 15, 1986, with a performance of Weber's opera "Euryanthe". The old inscription "FRIDERICUS REX APOLLINI ET MUSIS" was once again carved over the portico.

To the west of the Opera House lies Bebelplatz, formerly Opernplatz, with the Old Library on the other side.