Informationsort Schwerbelastungskörper

About the museum

The Schwerbelastungskörper (“heavy load body”) was built in 1941–42 in connection with the plans of Inspector General of Building Albert Speer to transform Berlin into the “World Capital Germania.” The massive concrete cylinder, 21 meters in diameter, 14 meters high above ground, and 18 meters deep below it, was meant to test whether the ground could bear the weight of a triumphal arch at the end of the planned north–south axis. Forced laborers were used in its construction; the axis was never built.

After the war, the roughly 12,000-ton block was not blown up because of its proximity to residential buildings. It was still used for soil mechanics test measurements and then lay idle for decades. In 1995 it was added to Berlin’s list of protected monuments; since 2002, the fenced grounds have belonged to the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district.

As part of the Stadtumbau West program, the site was renovated and opened as an information site on September 12, 2009. Three steles tell the history of the place, an exhibition pavilion serves visitor services and seminars, and an observation tower gives a sense of the scale of the planning at the time. The offering is run by the district office together with the Berliner Unterwelten association.

Key themes

• Listed concrete cylinder from 1941/42
• Observation tower with a view of the scale of the Nazi-era plans
• Exhibition pavilion and three information steles
• Free guided tour on the first Sunday of every month
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Informationsort mit Ausstellungspavillon, Stelen und Aussichtsturm – Three steles and the exhibition pavilion explain the history of the structure and of Nazi-era urban planning; from the observation tower, the scale of the planning can be seen.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Bezirksamt Tempelhof-Schöneberg (Museen Tempelhof-Schöneberg)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Accessibility applies only to the grounds. The historic monument has largely been left in its original state; watch out for uneven ground, unsecured depressions, and protruding building elements. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The site is at the corner of General-Pape-Straße and Loewenhardtdamm, near the Kolonnenbrücke; entrance at General-Pape-Straße 100, gate 1.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit