Skateboardmuseum

On April 23, 1976—50 years ago—the Palast der Republik opened to the public and was also prominently featured on the 100 Mark note as a symbol of GDR pride for this architectural landmark. It served as the parliament of the GDR until early 1990 and was soon closed due to asbestos contamination.
In 1997, a group of skateboarders managed to get inside and created a winter skate hideout, though they were arrested shortly after. Following this, years of asbestos removal began. By 2004, parts of the building briefly reopened for cultural events, including skateboard and BMX sessions.
However, in 2002, the German parliament had already voted to demolish the building. Demolition began in 2006, but a large amount of the smooth marble was saved—thanks in part to skateboarders—and later reused in 2012 for the skatepark “Vogelfreiheit” at Tempelhofer Feld.
Today, the Berlin City Palace, home to the Humboldt Forum, stands where the Palast der Republik once stood. The Humboldt Forum recently featured an exhibition with rare film footage from the East German secret police (“Stasi”), showing a skateboarder and a roller skater riding in front of the former palace entrance—a striking and memorable scene.
If you’re interested in East and West skateboarding history, come in June to see the exhibition SKATER & ROLLBRETTFAHRER Berlin — 10.06.2026 – 04.04.2027.