Apostolic Nuncio to Germany

The Apostolic Nunciature in Berlin is the official diplomatic representative of the Holy See in Germany. It is located in Lilienthalstraße 3a in the Berlin district of Neukölln in close proximity to St. John's Basilica at the hare heath. Current Apostolic Nuncio and thus the official representative of the Holy See in Germany is Nikola Eterović.

History of diplomatic relations

On May 1, 1920 took Germany and the Holy See to establish full diplomatic relations. From 1784 to 1924 the Holy See maintained full diplomatic relations with Bavaria and possessed an Apostolic Nunciature in Munich. The nuncio to Bavaria was then from 1920 in personal union Nuncio for the German Reich. In 1925, the since 1747 with low ranks ( minister resident, Messenger ) guided relations between Prussia and the Holy See was revalued by a Nunciature. The nuncio to Germany took over in personal union the Nunciature in Prussia and so opened a Nunciature in Berlin in the Rauchstraße 21 (Tiergarten ) and represented now from here the interests of the German Reich and the Prussian government. With the direct connection of the countries represented in May 1934, the nuncio to Prussia in personal union with the German, and the separate Nunciature for Bavaria.

During the Second World War, the seat was moved several times, only after lock Prötzel north of Strausberg, later to Nedlitz at Potsdam and finally again to Bavaria in the town of Eichstätt. In Berlin, a small office was kept at Michaelkirchplatz of which could fulfill its role as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps from the nuncio. The former Nunciature building in smoke street was destroyed in 1943 by bombs.

In 1951 the Vatican established diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany and opened an Apostolic Nunciature in Bad Godesberg ( Turmhof ). With the government's move to Berlin and the Apostolic Nunciature moved to the Lilienthalstraße to Berlin -Neukölln on 29 June 2001. They decided on a plot of land in the immediate vicinity of St. John's Basilica.

Architecture

For the construction of the Apostolic Nunciature an anonymous competition was advertised in 1997. It is a native of Munster architect Dieter Georg Baumewerd prevailed. In his design, was built on the grounds of a building complex, which also contains the residence of the nuncio and a chapel next to the diplomatic mission.

The modern and very sober outside, the complex consists of two four storey buildings that are set at right angles to each other and connected by a glass joint. In the plane parallel to the Lilienthalstraße building is the message tract with reception and offices, while the chapel and the private rooms of the nuncio and his staff are housed in the side wing. At the Chancellery Wing, the large foyer connects that leads to the representation spaces.

Although the Nunciature forms as a modern new building an architectural contrast to the characterized by Romanesque and Gothic elements Church, the latter was included in the design. The glazed wall of the lobby of the Nunciature and the portal of the transept of the church lie on a line, so that the decoration of the church door, and especially the figure of Simon Peter above the portal from the inside can be seen in the hall and to the outside through the glass surface. reflect About the lobby of the Nunciature a roof terrace is designed that allows a view of the Hasenheide Park and the Basilica.

A distinctive feature compared to other embassies, the hotel chapel dar. Outwardly it is recognizable by the tall and narrow, colorfully decorated windows that face the street and Lilienthal in the courtyard. The garden was designed by Dieter Korte. In the courtyard there is a bronze group of Cecco Bonanotte entitled The Church explains reasoning with the people of hope.