Schöneberg, Germany

Welcome to Schöneberg, a historic locality in Berlin, Germany. Once a separate borough, it is now part of the new borough of Tempelhof-Schöneberg. Schöneberg has a rich history dating back to the 13th century, when it was first documented in a deed issued by Margrave Otto III of Brandenburg. The village was destroyed during the Seven Years War, but was rebuilt and incorporated into the street network laid out in the Hobrecht-Plan. In 1874, Alt-Schöneberg and Neu-Schöneberg were combined as one entity and received town privileges in 1898. Today, Schöneberg is known for its vibrant gay scene, with the area around Nollendorfplatz being the heart of gay life in Berlin since the 1920s. The Eldorado nightclub on Motzstraße was closed down by the Nazis in 1932, but the area remains a symbol of LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance. Schöneberg is also home to many popular sights, including the Dorfkirche, the old village church built in 1766, and the Rathaus Schöneberg, where U.S. President John F. Kennedy held his famous Ich bin ein Berliner speech in 1963. Other notable landmarks include the Kaufhaus des Westens, the largest department store in continental Europe, and the Heinrich-von-Kleist-Park, which was first laid out in 1656 and later became Berlin’s Botanical Garden. Schöneberg has been home to many famous people throughout history, including Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein, and David Bowie. Come and explore the rich history and vibrant culture of Schöneberg, and discover why this charming locality should be on every traveler’s bucket list.