The Citadel Spandau, with its bastions, ramparts and casemates is one of the most important and best preserved Renaissance fortresses in Northern Europe. Kurfürst Joachim II of Brandenburg had it built in the 16th century by Italian architects. Among the sections of the older medieval castle that have been preserved are the Julius Tower from the 13th century and the Palas built in the 15th century. From the 16th to the 19th century, major military buildings were built on the large site. Today, they house historical museums and the Center for Contemporary Art, where large contemporary art exhibitions are presented.
The history of the castle and citadel is illustrated by models, maps and weapons in the Commander’s House. Archaeological findings from the early days of the castle as well as a unique collection of medieval Jewish tombstones are on display at the Archaeological Window. In the Arsenal, built in 1856, the City History Museum tells the story of Spandau families, trades and military using objects from the collection. The permanent exhibition "Revealed. Berlin and its Monuments" in the former Provisions Depot shows monuments that once shaped the cityscape of Berlin and were often eroded for political reasons – from the Brandenburg-Prussian rulers of the Siegesallee to the monumental head of the Lenin monument.