Attraction · Berlin · Updated on 1 November 2026.

Rathaus Schöneberg in Berlin

Rathaus Schöneberg is an attraction in Berlin, Germany. This place has an audio tour of about 2 minutes, in English or Dutch. Within 830 m you'll find a bench, a public toilet, a water point and a bike pump.

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The story

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Audio tour · Rathaus Schöneberg

2:19

You're standing on John-F.-Kennedy-Platz, in front of Rathaus Schöneberg. Start with the building itself. This sandstone town hall went up between 1911 and 1914, when Schöneberg was still an independent city. It only became part of Greater Berlin in 1920. Now look up at the tower. Since 1950 it has held the Freedom Bell, a gift from the United States.

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Opening hours and admission

Wheelchair: Partly accessible

Source: OpenStreetMap and Wikidata.

Photos

10 photos from Wikimedia Commons. In the app you add your own photo when you are there.

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Photo: A.Savin · Wikimedia Commons · FALView the photo on Wikimedia Commons

Rathaus Schöneberg in Berlin: the town hall where Kennedy spoke

The Rathaus Schöneberg in Berlin is a town hall and is still the administrative building of the Tempelhof-Schöneberg borough. The building is known for the speech given by John F. Kennedy here. On 26 June 1963, he spoke the famous words "Ich bin ein Berliner" here. The parliament and senate of West Berlin also sat here, and people gathered on the square to protest. You will find the town hall in the Schöneberg district, at John-F.-Kennedy-Platz 1. The Rathaus Schöneberg metro station is located in the park behind it.

What you can see at the Rathaus Schöneberg

The town hall is built of sandstone. Look up from the square towards the tower, where the Vrijheidsklok has hung since 1950. It was a gift from the Verenigde Staten. At the entrance stands a column with a large commemorative plaque for Kennedy. Inside, the room above the entrance is dedicated to Kennedy and his visit to Berlin. The exhibition space has hosted the exhibition "Wir waren Nachbarn" since 2005. It tells the story of Joodse neighbours in Schöneberg and Tempelhof during the naziregime.

Toilets, drinking water and benches nearby

You'll find benches near Rathaus Schöneberg, with the nearest one 82 metres away at John-F.-Kennedy-Platz. There are 132 benches within 500 metres, so it's easy to take a seat. Drinking water is harder to find here. The only water tap within 500 metres is 315 metres away at Heinrich-Lassen-Park, where you can fill a bottle. The nearest public toilet is 358 metres away at Apostel-Paulus-Straße. It is always open and wheelchair accessible, but it takes coins, so bring a few with you. There are 4 public toilets within 500 metres in total. No bike pump is available within 500 metres. The nearest one is 833 metres away at Volkspark Wilmersdorf.

Facilities near Rathaus Schöneberg

The nearest pitstop of each kind within 1 km, as the crow flies. No honesty box within 1 km.

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Photo: A.Savin · Wikimedia Commons · FALView the photo on Wikimedia Commons

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I find drinking water near Rathaus Schöneberg?

The nearest water tap is 315 metres from Rathaus Schöneberg, at Heinrich-Lassen-Park. Here you can fill a bottle, and there is no other water tap within 500 metres.

Are there benches near Rathaus Schöneberg?

Yes, the nearest bench is 82 metres from Rathaus Schöneberg, at John-F.-Kennedy-Platz. Within 500 metres there are 132 benches.

Is there a toilet near Rathaus Schöneberg in Berlin?

The nearest public toilet is 358 metres from Rathaus Schöneberg, at Apostel-Paulus-Straße. It is always open, wheelchair accessible, and you pay with coins. Within 500 metres there are 4 public toilets.

Who was the architect of Rathaus Schöneberg in Berlin?

Jürgen Bachmann was the architect of Rathaus Schöneberg. The sandstone town hall was built between 1911 and 1914.

Why did Kennedy speak at Rathaus Schöneberg?

John F. Kennedy gave his famous words "Ich bin ein Berliner" here on 26 June 1963. West Berlin then used the town hall as the seat of its parliament and senate, and after his death the square was named after him.

What hangs in the tower of Rathaus Schöneberg?

The Vrijheidsklok has hung in the tower since 1950. It is a gift from abroad. On 2 October 1990, the bell rang in the reunification.