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Berlin: Charité Hospital History Walking Tour
140 ReviewsExplore Charité, Berlin’s oldest hospital, famous for its medical breakthroughs and renowned scientists. Visit the historic Veterinary Anatomy Theatre, Berlin’s oldest academic building.
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Highlights
- Marvel at the beautiful neo-gothic architecture of the Charité campus
- Get to know some of the biggest names in medical history
- Explore the history of Charité during the Nazi and socialist regimes
- Join us on a journey back to the 18th century at the Veterinary Anatomy Theatre
- Discover the real-life stories behind the Charité TV series
Description
The tour opens with the story of the hospital’s foundation in 1710, when it was first built as a simple plague house to protect against the approaching epidemic. In the early days of the hospital, methods such as bloodletting, doses of mercury and amputations were common in treating the sick. A visit to the Veterinary Theatre, the oldest academic building still in existence in Berlin, provides fascinating insight into how the ailments of the city’s livestock and cavalry horses were explored in the 18th century. The tour circumnavigates the historical neo-gothic campus of the Charité, where medical pioneers like Robert Koch and Rudolf Virchow made groundbreaking discoveries. But Charité is also a symbol of social progress, being the place where Rachel Hirsch became the first woman to hold a medical professorship in Prussia. Her appointment in 1913 marked a significant step forward for women in medicine, reflecting the shifting social attitudes of the early 20th century, despite the resistance she faced within the institution. The hospital also witnessed a dark chapter under the Nazi regime. Medical ethics were disregarded and ideas of racial hygiene were ruthlessly imposed. While some doctors kept quiet, others actively organised the extermination of psychiatric patients. In subsequent decades, East Germany prided itself on the achievements of the Charité, while also bricking up those windows that faced the capitalist West. This tour finishes close to the Central Station, making it the perfect place to continue exploring Berlin. Please dress warmly in cold weather as most of the tour takes place outside!Includes
Expert guide with deep knowledge of Berlin’s history Entry to the Veterinary Anatomy TheaterImportant Information
- What is not included on this tour: Visiting buildings in which clinical or university operations take place. Visiting parts of the outside area of Campus Charité that are not authorised for guided tours. However, some of these areas can be visited by guests individually. Should the Veterinary Anatomy Theatre be temporarily closed to the public for internal reasons, this part of the tour will be omitted.
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