Germany Neue Wache, Berlin

The Neue Wache (engl. New Guard) is an architectural monument on the boulevard Unter den Linden 4 in Berlin's Mitte district and part of the Forum Fridericianum. Built in the years 1816-1818 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel as a guard for the opposite Royal Palace and a monument to the Wars of Liberation, it is one of the main works of German Classicism. In addition to a Victoria relief by Johann Gottfried Schadow, the building ensemble also includes five general statues by Christian Daniel Rauch, which refer to the warrior groups at the castle bridge. Since 1993, the Neue Wache has served as the central memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the victims of war and tyranny.

The Neue Wache in Berlin is best photographed with a focus on its solemn and minimalist design. Capture the play of light through the oculus, especially when it highlights Käthe Kollwitz’s sculpture, creating dramatic shadows. A low-angle shot emphasizes the building’s neoclassical architecture and its imposing columns. Early morning or late afternoon provides soft lighting that enhances the textures in the stone. Including people in the frame can add scale and a sense of reflection, while black-and-white photography enhances the memorial’s somber atmosphere.

The bus or subway is suggested for the journey.