The Palast der Republik (English: Palace of the Republic) was constructed between 1973 and 1976 at the site of the former Hohenzollern palace (Stadtschloß). The Palast der Republik was a cultural building in Berlin (e.g., similar to the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris), on the bank of the River Spree next to Museumsinsel.

The building’s architectural plans were provided by Heinz Graffunder and Karl-Ernst Swora. The architects conceived of their building as a Volkshaus (house of the people) in the tradition of the German labour movement. It housed two large auditoria, art galleries, a theatre, restaurants, a bowling alley and a discothèque.

The new Palace soon became very popular. More than 90 percent of the events held in the Palace were concerts, shows and cultural programmes. The Palace was indeed oriented towards the people, but it was by no means free of ideology. It hosted the Socialist Unity Party Congresses in its Grand Hall and generally performed a representative function for the GDR.