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Finally, the Humboldt Forum Reveals Itself

By Andrew Cottrill . August 21, 2018

Between the 25th-26th August, the Humboldt Forum lets us see just what they’ve been doing all these years.

The Humboldt Forum. You know, that huge scaffolded building by Museum Island, its unfinished dome pointing over the horizon as you pass by on the S-Bahn. It goes by many names – the Stadtschloss, the Berliner Schloss, Berlin’s new palace – but the big question is: what’s been going on there all these years? Now we get the chance to find out.

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Tage der Offenen Baustelle is Humboldt Forum naked.

Over the last weekend in August, the public is invited to come inside the construction site of what will become a major Berlin landmark and addition to Museum Island’s already huge collection of art and exhibitions.

The imposing new (or old… depending on how you look at it) building that’s dominated the Mitte skyline (and the German media) since construction started in 2013 is a reworking of the former Berliner Schloss that stood on the same site since 1845 before being heavily damaged in World War 2 and subsequently demolished. The building site is a view into the bare bones of this incredibly expensive and prestigious undertaking and lets you see how 21st Century artists and architects are attempting impressive 19th Century Baroque building styles.

It will also be the last time the public can see inside the building until its official opening in late 2019. Entry will be free.

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We managed to get a preview of the building site. The scale of the building and the craftsmanship within is amazing, and it’s far from finished. In the way Berliners love exploring the fading abandoned buildings around the city, there’s a similar, perverse pleasure in seeing something so big and grand empty, still under construction. It’s the Humboldt Forum naked and it doesn’t bite.

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Hi-viz is in.

A weekend of music, film and food.

Whilst the building site is the main attraction, there will also be live music, talks and films detailing the project screened throughout the Saturday and Sunday. Here is a full programme for the weekend:

Saturday August 25th

09.00 Admission
09.30 Live Music: Humboldt-Gymnasium jazz band
10.00 Film Das Berliner Schloss: Ein Traum wird gebaut (The Berliner Schloss: Building the Dream)
10.30 Information on the Humboldt Forum project
11.30 Film Das Berliner Schloss: Ein Traum wird gebaut (The Berliner Schloss: Building the Dream)
11.30 Last admission to the Schlüterhof
13.15 Last admission to the construction site
14.00 Close

Additional programme:
16.00 The Berlin Philharmonic. Live-streaming in the Berliner Dom (until 6pm)
Die Berliner Philharmoniker live: Public Viewing im Berliner Dom
20.00 Long Night of Museums at the Humboldt Forum (until 2am)
Lange Nacht der Museen auf der Baustelle des Humboldt Forums

Berliner Schloss, offene Baustelle
Tag der offenen Baustelle, 2016

Sunday August 26th

9.00 Admission
9.00 Film: Das Berliner Schloss – Ein Traum wird gebaut (The Berliner Schloss – Building the Dream)
9.30 Information on the Humboldt Forum project
11.00 Live music: hauptstadtBLECH & Staats- und Domchor Berlin / Knabenchor der Universität der Künste (hauptstadtBLECH & The Berlin State and Cathedral Choir / The Berlin University of Arts Boys Choir)
11.45 Film: Das Berliner Schloss – Ein Traum wird gebaut (The Berliner Schloss – Building the Dream)
12.40 Live Music: Andrej Hermlin and his Swing Dance Orchestra
11.45 Film: Das Berliner Schloss – Ein Traum wird gebaut (The Berliner Schloss – Building the Dream)
15.00 Information on the Humboldt Forum project
16.00 Film: Das Berliner Schloss – Ein Traum wird gebaut (The Berliner Schloss – Building the Dream)
16.30 Dance and music: COPACABANA SAMBASHOW BERLIN 17.15 Last admission
18.00 Close

Aside from all this, there will also be a selection of Berlin food trucks to make sure you’re well fed and watered.

Berliner Schloss, offene Baustelle
Tag der offenen Baustelle, 2016

See the Berlin Philharmonic for free.

On Saturday at 4pm, the Berlin Philharmonic play to a sold-out concert inside the Forum. But those not lucky enough to have tickets can also take part – a huge 50-metre screen will be erected inside the Berliner Dom, beaming the gig live into that hauntingly beautiful surrounding. This event will be free, and probably busy (so get there early). Find out more here.

Remaking a Prussian Schloss for the 21st Century

Like it, love it, hate it, nothing it… the Humboldt Forum is one of the most controversial projects in Germany today. All the more reason to go and see what they’ve been up to all this time.

Here’s what it will look like once completed:

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© SHF / Architect: Franco Stella

Find out more on their Facebook event.

Humboldt Forum
Schloßpl. 7,
10178 Berlin

North entrance, left of the Humboldt-Box.

Photos © Humboldt Forum. Photographers: Marco Urban, Stephan Falk.

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