Berlin, Topography of Terror - architecture (#2841)

Of particular architectural note, to me, is the building across the street from the Topography of Terror. Its very clean, efficient, lines that draw your eyes up contribute to its sense of being a monumental seat of power. It was designed and constructed during the Nazi era where it served as the seat for the Reich Aviation Ministry, which was key to WWII. The building survived the war comparatively unscathed and was used by the GDR. After reunification it served as the offices of the commission for privatizing the East German economy, and then became the home of the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance provides an excellent brochure on the building and its history: www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/EN/Standardartikel/Press_Room/Publications/Brochures/2014-08-08-detlev-rohwedder-building-flyer.html

Between the main exhibit of the Topography of Terror and the portion of the Wall is this long trench containing information specific to Berlin during the rise of the Nazism. By time I had been through the main exhibit, this portion was very crowded with just-arriving tours, I thus set it aside for a later trip.