Akademie der Künste Pariser Platz

Berlin’s Academy of Arts, founded in 1696 is its oldest and most prestigious cultural institution.

Since 1995 it was relocated in the historic Pariser Platz in the impressive new glass fronted building by Günther Behnisch which incorporates only remaining original part of the building, the exhibition hall. It was here that the Nazi architect Albert Speer had modelled the Hitler’s vision for Berlin as the capital Germania.

With the best views of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, it is a popular centre hosting readings, discussions and cultural events. Rooted in the Enlightenment age, modelled on similar institutions in Paris and Rome the Academy was intended as a centre for intellectual excellence, its mission being to make the Arts and Sciences publicly available.

It has continued to expand its core departments and faculties which include the Fine Arts, architecture, music, literature, theatre and film studies and more recently media design. In its statutory capacity the Academy’s central role as a consultative body addresses core issues relating to the Arts and sponsors international cultural exchanges.