Walking along Bachstraße from Altonaer Straße in the direction of Tiergarten, it is difficult not to be attracted by the magnificent and outstanding appearance of this house. The duck-yellow exterior is unique and full of history. Because it is a single-family house, when you look at this building, you feel as if time and space have stopped.
The building at Cuxhavener Straße 14 was built in 1891. It is beautifully designed and displays the elegance and grandeur of early 20th century architecture. Its exterior is richly decorated with intricate carvings, a symmetrical window arrangement, and an impressive doorway and entrance, details that reflect the architectural appearance of the upscale residential areas of the time. It is also one of about forty buildings in the old Hansa district that survived World War II out of 343.
According to Project Zwangsräume, many of the buildings in the area were once Jewish residences. Therefore, some people speculate that this building may have been used as a Jewish home during World War II, specifically to imprison those Jews who were forced out of their property; but concrete historical evidence has not yet been confirmed.
In March 2000, the Embassy of the Republic of Honduras in Germany moved into the building. Over time, the building’s use has changed, but its unique appearance and deep historical heritage still make it a shining example of Berlin’s cityscape. It has witnessed the city’s journey from past prosperity to the trauma of war and post-war reconstruction. Although it is impossible to confirm whether it once housed displaced Jewish people, the walls of this building seem to silently tell the story of history.
Whether as a residence in the past or as a diplomatic embassy today, this building carries the weight of Berlin’s history and allows people to feel the echoes of a bygone era. In this context of intertwined modernity and history, it remains a silent witness to change.
*About the Jewish forced homes: these houses were not only occupied by Jews, but were generally owned by Jews. The non-Jewish residents witnessed the suffering and persecution of their Jewish neighbours.
https://zwangsraeume.berlin/de
