Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall); Mitte, Berlin

This vivid red neo-Renaissance structure is the City Hall of Berlin and serves as the center of government for both the Mayor and the Berlin Senate.

Key Details:

The building originally replaced an entire city block of buildings including the previous Medieval City Hall.  The German Reich was unified only a few years after the structure was completed, so it became the supreme administrative building.

The building was heavily damaged by bombing during WWII, but was one of few buildings in central Berlin that was not completely destroyed.  In the years following, the building was repaired according to the original design and has been continually improved since.

If You Go:

The structure is generally open to the public and is well worth the visit to the main interior hall and its several exhibits.  The many architectural details are easily visible close to the building.

Sources:

http://www.berlin.de/orte/sehenswuerdigkeiten/rotes-rathaus/index.en.php

http://www.citymayors.com/cityhalls/berlin_cityhall.html

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