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Abandoned Iraqi Embassy in Berlin (Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft)

The Abandoned Iraqi Embassy in Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische BotschaftBuilt in 1974 and empty since staff were ordered to leave during the Gulf War in January 1991 the abandoned Iraqi Embassy in Berlin is a popular Urbex destination.

The non-descript pre-fabricated concrete building (the Plattenbau style so common in Soviet-era East Germany) sits in a quiet cul-de-sac in the former diplomatic quarter of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) in Pankow.

Its grey walls belie its colourful past.

Iraq was the first non-Socialist country to recognise the DDR as a state in 1969 and a special friendship developed between the two countries.  It is widely believed that the DDR was offering scientific help to Iraq, particularly with their development of nuclear and chemical weapons.

In 1980, two members of staff from the embassy were arrested in West Berlin whilst attempting deliver a suitcase of explosives as part of a plot to kill a group of Kurdish dissidents at a meeting in Wedding.

Arabic Book Cover - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

The embassy came under renewed scrutiny in 1990 when it was reported in the magazine Junge Welt, that the building was being used to stockpile weapons and explosives and to protect terrorists.  The East German Interior Ministry confirmed the weapons find and activities at the embassy were monitored closely.

And then they were gone.

Looking at the building now it would seem that when staff were ordered to leave in 1991 they left in a hurry.  The Iraqi Embassy to the re-unified Germany is now in Dahlem and has been since 2003.

Germany owns the land on which the now derelict embassy stands but granted Iraq perpetual rights to the land and building.  This has left the plot in a state of limbo.  The Germans say they have no right to it and the Iraqis have their shiny new embassy so they’re not interested.

Dark Corridor and Bathroom - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Dark Corridor and Furniture - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Draughty Room - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

The Iraqi Embassy is in a dreadful state.

It is a series of dark corridors and draughty rooms, many of which are now completely open to the elements and there is broken glass and paperwork everywhere.

A lot of the writing is in Arabic so I can’t be sure but I assume any sensitive documents were taken away.  At one time the books, papers and files must have been stored neatly on shelves and in cupboards but now they are strewn across the floor and amassed in great heaps.

English and Arabic Writing - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Arabic Book - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

The Europa Year Book 1982 - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

The smell of mouldy paper is overpowering.

As in all abandoned buildings the visitors have left their mark in the form of pictures, slogans and more considered art.

Our House In The Middle Of Iraq - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Clown Face - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Excerpt from Ray Bradbury’s And There Will Come Soft Rains by Elizabeth Skadden - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

The furniture has been moved, papers have been burned and typewriters, faxes and photocopiers have been smashed and their keys have been removed.

Chair and Desk on Balcony - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Paperwork - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Burnt Paperwork - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

It is clear that many treasures have been looted.

Early blog posts and newspaper articles mention framed portraits of Saddam Hussein hanging on the walls – some of the authors even boast of the souvenirs they took.

Now there are just a few newspapers and calendars bearing his image.

Saddam Hussein Front Page of Paper - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Saddam Hussein Face on Calendar - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

Saddam Hussein Hands and Title on Calendar - Abandoned Iraqi Embassy Berlin - Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft

I would recommend visiting the abandoned Iraqi Embassy in Berlin soon before all vestiges of its past life have been plundered, damaged or burnt and all that’s left is a derelict shell. Who knows, Germany and Iraq may one day even sort out the issue of ownership and put the land to new use.

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9 Responses to Abandoned Iraqi Embassy in Berlin (Die Verlassene Irakische Botschaft)

  1. Africa far and wide 7 March, 2013 at 15:06 #

    What a fascinating, little bit eery, place! I cant believe the sofas, chairs, type writer is still there!

    • andBerlin 8 March, 2013 at 12:55 #

      I’m glad you found it interesting. It’s good that there are some things left but they’re in a very sorry state now. Berlin has a number of great abandoned sites.

  2. 1GraphicDesigner 10 March, 2013 at 10:35 #

    Every time I read a post on your blog I miss Berlin more and more. I’ve been there 4 times and I haven’t seen most of the cool places that you mention here.

    • andBerlin 11 March, 2013 at 10:58 #

      I’m glad to hear you love Berlin so much – it’s such a great city – I hope you’ll be back soon. There are so many amazing things to see and do here that I’m always surprised to read about people here on holiday for just a few days who see something I didn’t know about.

  3. Rasmus Kongsgaard 4 August, 2014 at 13:19 #

    Hi!
    I’m going to Berlin in september, and I am wondering if the embassy stills stands as on these pictures? Would love to get some photos of my own.
    Cheers!
    Rasmus

    • andberlin 15 August, 2014 at 08:06 #

      Rasmus, I haven’t been back to the Embassy but I have heard that there has been another fire there. Whether that means more burnt papers or more serious damage I don’t know. It’s a worth a look either way, just be careful where you tread.

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