The former Opernplatz, today's Bebelplatz Unter den Linden, forms in its facility the centre of the Forum Fridericianum - the Lindenforum, which goes back to plans by King Friedrich II and his master builder Knobelsdorff.

The Forum was created from 1741 onwards, when Friedrich II came to power, as the new intellectual centre and artistic focal point of the Prussian kingdom.

The former Royal Court Opera, the present Staatsoper Unter den Linden raises itself as one of the first and oldest buildings of the Forum Fridericianum.

Directly behind the opera was the St.-Hedwigs-Cathedral, built from 1747-73, with its imposing, 40metre diameter measuring cupola, a church in the style of the Roman Pantheon. The beauty of the place stems from the different building styles from classicism over baroque to rococo.

Next door, an historical address, the luxury hotel de Rome was built former in the former head office of the Dresdner Bank.

image author: Gisela Pape

The Royal Library (Old Library), which was called soon enough "chest of drawers' because of its rolling facade, which forms the western end of the Forum Fridericianum. It was built by the master builder G. F. Boumann the Elder and G. F. Boumann the Younger in the years 1775 to 1780, for the royal court library, which had around 150 000 books. The exuberant decorated building style was borrowed from the Viennese baroque.

The building burned down completely during the 2nd World War and was rebuilt in the years 1967-1969, whereby the historical facade was preserved.

Today, it houses the law school of the Humboldt-University.

Connected to the old library on the side of Unter den Linden is the Alte Palais. The Alte Palais was living and working place of Prince Wilhelm, who was crowned Prussian king in 1861 and in 1871 German Emperor. Wilhelm lived during the winter months, with his wife Augusta, in this palace until his death in 1888. In 2005. The pergola, towards the Bebelplatz was reconstructed subject to historical plans in 2007. Just, enabling the monarch to go directly outside from his office.

Today, this building is also used by the Humboldt-University.