Bellevue Palace

Schloss Bellevue, whose name is French for "beautiful view," stands at Spreeweg 1 in the Tiergarten district, between the Spree and the Siegessäule on the northern edge of the Großer Tiergarten. The neoclassical three-wing complex, modeled on French designs, was built in 1785 and 1786 by Michael Philipp Boumann as a summer residence for the Prussian prince August Ferdinand, and it was remodeled repeatedly over the following centuries. After heavy damage in World War II it was rebuilt from 1955 to 1959 with its exterior faithfully restored, and the facades show the early neoclassical style.

Since January 1994 Schloss Bellevue has been the first official residence of the German Federal President, the country's head of state. President Richard von Weizsäcker moved the office from the Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn to Berlin after parliament decided in 1991 to relocate to the capital. Today the president receives state guests here, gives speeches and holds official appointments. When the black, red and gold standard flies above the central pavilion, the president is in the building.

Because this is a working seat of government, the interior is generally not open to the public, but the white courtyard of honor and the facade can be admired from outside at any time. A walk here pairs well with the nearby Siegessäule or a stroll through the Tiergarten. During the federal government's annual open day, the president's office occasionally opens parts of the grounds to the public.