Berlin Boogie: Bundesministerium der Verteidigung

It has been more than a year since I last wrote a post on my Berlin Boogie series, which is the keyword I use whenever I do some sight-seeing within my adoptive hometown. A few months ago, during late summer, there was the Open House of the Federal Government, and I used this occasion to visit a couple of federal agencies. The first one I visited was actually the German Federal Ministry of Defence, located on the Bendlerblock Complex in Berlin.

I actually passed by this building on a daily basis back when I was still an academic: the bus I was taking to work passed by the road next to it. I knew that the Federal Ministry of Defence resides on this complex, but I never had the opportunity to check it out until now, when they are open to the public.

Of course I saw weapons. I would have been surprised if I didn't. As expected, there was some considerable security when entering the premises. It basically was like an airport. And for the tour of the building, there was an additional security required, and all photographic equipment were not allowed, hence I didn't have any interior photos at all.

In any case, I learned a lot. I learned about the history of the building. I learned that this building used to be the headquarters of previous German or Prussian ministries that were all defence-related. And then there was the Division of Germany and the creation of offices in Bonn. And then there was the Reunification, and the changes that it brought, all the way to the present day.

I saw many interesting aspects of government, including the offices of the Federal Minister for Defence. It is an interesting office, albeit perhaps slightly too sterile. In any case, it was an interesting experience to take a peek inside.