Museumsportal Berlin

Schloss Schönhausen is among the few castles in Berlin, which came through the Second World War undamaged. In 1740, Frederick II. (the Great) gave this estate to his wife Elisabeth Christine, who lived there until her death in 1797. Especially to mention are the still existing room decors of the late 17th century and 18th century, among them, a gorgeous stucco ball room and the double stairwell which reaches over three floors.
Still today, the castle, which was designed, among others, by Johann Arnold Nering, Johann Friedrich Eosander, and Johann Boumann the Elder, an important proof of baroque architecture, though it was modified from time to time. The place is famous as well: Here, elector Frederick III. prepared strategically his installation of becoming the first king of Prussia 1701. During National Socialism, the building became one out of two Berlin depots for the so-called "Entartete Kunst" ("degenerate art"). At the post war era, the castle served first as place of residence for the President of the GDR, later, it served as guest house.