Thursday, June 9, 2011

Pariser Platz



The American Embassy in Pariser Platz, the square behind the Brandenburg Gate which until 1814 was known as Viereck (the Square). In March 1814, when Prussian troops along with the other Allies captured Paris after the overthrow of Napoleon, it was renamed Pariser Platz to mark this triumph. Before World War II, this was the grandest square in Berlin, including the American and French embassies, the finest hotel (the Adlon Hotel), the Academy of the Arts, and several blocks of apartments and offices. During the war, all of the buildings were mostly destroyed. After reunification in 1990, Pariser Platz was restored. The embassies moved back, the hotel and arts academy reinstated, and various firms built around the square. The new Adlon Hotel is where Michael Jackson held Blanket outside the window. The American Embassy has a Sol Lewitt installation which can be seen in the photograph.