Insider
guides enjoyed an excellent tour of the historical buildings of the
Charité – Europe’s largest university hospital. It even has its
own museum, showcasing its achievements since 1710.
Charité
has always attracted leading research scientists, resulting in major
discoveries in the fields of cellular biology, vaccines,
contraception, and the development of the modern pregnancy test.
The
former lecture hall was damaged during WWII. More than half of
Germany’s Nobel Prize recipients have lectured here at the Charité.
During
the Cold War, the Charité was located in East Germany (the DDR),
yet its prestige remained undiminished. On the contrary, the
institution strove to excel and welcomed many West German and
international scientists to collaborate. Due to its proximity to the
Berlin Wall, the ground-floor windows of some buildings were boarded
up to prevent escapes to the West. Shown here is the building closest
to where Günter Litfin died during his attempted escape in 1961,
becoming the second person to perish at the border.
The
Charité was originally built outside the city walls to prevent the
spread of infectious diseases. Here is a section of the original wall
dating back to 1740. Today, the Charité occupies a central position
in Berlin, covering 30 hectares, employing around 23,000 staff, and
hosting approximately 9,000 students at any given time.
The
former residence of Aschheim and Zondek, two pioneering scientists
who developed the modern pregnancy test. Their licenses to practice
were revoked in 1935 because they were Jewish, forcing both to
emigrate.
An
aerial view of the Charité complex in Berlin-Mitte. The institution
also operates additional locations throughout the city.
Insider
guides outside one of the original historic buildings.
Insider guides were given a rare glimpse into the cellars where operations were
carried out during Allied bombing raids in WWII.
The
new research building, soon to be named after Rahel Hirsch, the first
female Professor of Medicine in Germany. A brilliant and courageous
woman, she too was forced to abandon her medical career and emigrate
due to antisemitic persecution.
The
reading room, featuring numerous educational displays, including a
human skeleton, 274cm (8ft 11in) tall!
Entrance
to the reading rooms. Not a real skull!
Germany’s
oldest lecture hall, dating from 1790, complete with a retractable
floor leading to the mortuary below.
Above our
well-informed and passionate guide, Martin. Insider guides thoroughly
enjoyed this educational visit. The Charité holds an important place
in Berlin’s history, and we now better understand its significance
not only for the city but also for the global advancement of
medicine.
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