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, 1274cm (8ft 12in) 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.
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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