Einstein-Turm

The “Einsteinturm” is the first important building designed by the famous architect Erich Mendelsohn. It was planned and built in the years 1919 to 1924, the main part was finished in 1921. One may argue wether it makes sense to define the building in terms of architectual style. The tower is often called the “main example for architectual expressionism”. Its general design is very harmonic, however, and Mendelsohn’s own perception oppose was different. In this aspect, everybody has to find his own answer.

Unusual are also the other parameters of the building’s past: The Einstein tower is a functional building, a solar observatory and until the second World War the most prominent research institution of that kind in Europe. The tower is therefore also an example for the very few connections between science and art, as Mendelsohn fulfilled the conditions for the scientific use as well as his own concepts of form. Due to Mendelsohn’s interest in Einstein’s work, some of the spirit of the exciting developments in modern physics are also captured in the building.

A substantial overhaul of the Einstein Tower started in November 1997. The re-opening ceremony took place on July 1, 1999. Der Einstein Tower is part of the Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam based in the Babelsberg Observatory today; the area on Telegraph Hill (Telegrafenberg) is used by Geo-Forschungszentrum Potsdam and other institutes of climate and polar research.