The Rathaus Schöneberg is the city hall for the Borough of Schöneberg in Berlin.
It was constructed between 1911-1914 for Schöneberg, at that time an independent city not yet incorporated into Berlin.
After World War II, with Berlin divided, the Rote Rathaus (Red City Hall), the traditional seat of the Berlin government, was off limits to West Berlin. As a 'temporary' measure the Rathaus Schöneberg on Rudolph-Wilde-Platz became the city hall for West Berlin. After the re-unification, the Rote Rathaus has been once again the city hall for a united Berlin.
Rathaus Schöneberg on Rudolph-Wilde-Platz is the location where US President John F. Kennedy held his famous speech in 1963, proclaiming "Ich bin ein Berliner". The square was then renamed John-F.-Kennedy-Platz.
It is also the permanent home to an exhibition of the life of Willy Brandt (1913 - 1992), Mayor of West Berlin from 1957 to 1966, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of West Germany 1969 - 1974.
The clock tower contains the Freiheitsglocke (Freedom or Liberty Bell) which was donated by the people of the United States to Berlin.
Last updated: 05-06-2005 06:02:36
