No 8. Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse.

**Adrian** · 03-05-2011, 04:05 PM

Infamously but best known as the SS/Gestapo Headquarters in Berlin from 1933 until 1945 here are a few photos of the site of this former building where Himmler, Heydrich et al had their desks.
Damaged during the war and demolished shortly afterwards not much remains of the original architecture today save for a few underground basement walls which were uncovered in the late 1980s. The longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall runs parallel to the site along the street now called Niederkirchnerstrasse. These basement structures can be seen in a covered but open air display.
The building which now stands on the former site of No 8. is home to an exhibition of the history of the SS and Gestapo and the evolution of these organisations. There are no artifacts on display but a superb exhibition of photos and explanation of the events relating to the site and the people behind them will take a couple of hours to browse.

The first photo shows the site of the No 8. Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse taken not long after the end of the war. I have circled the approximate site.

The second photo shows the site today with the 'Topography of Terror' exhibition building now in situ taken in the weak late afternoon light. To the left of the picture you can see the uncovered basement remains and the Berlin wall.

The next few photos are of the basement structures and the lighting shafts covered with pale tiles to reflect more light into the underground offices with the Berlin Wall running through each picture at pavement level. The impressive '40s style building over the wall is the former Air Force Ministry which can also be made out in the first photo.

**Woolgar** · 03-05-2011, 05:16 PM

The most dreaded building in the Third Reich !

Thanks for showing Adrian

Nick

**sitges1990** · 03-06-2011, 04:53 AM

Thanks for the photographs and information Adrian. Interesting that they allow people to walk that close to the old walls. I'm sure a fair number of those bricks end up in collections every year. Twenty years from now, they'll be selling on E-bay for hundreds of dollars.

Take care,
Jay

**Adrian** · 03-06-2011, 02:56 PM

Jay, to be honest I did think the same thing however it would take quite a bit of work to remove a brick as they are fairly well secured and not at all easy to just pick up.