Right in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, you can visit an iconic movie theater that was built in 1894 as a carriage house for over 360 horses

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Lina Welsch

 ·  June 18, 2026

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Standing in front of the iconic building on Schönhauser Allee today, one can hardly imagine what secrets lie hidden behind its old walls. Today, this charming landmark in Prenzlauer Berg is celebrated primarily as a legendary movie theater and event venue for various occasions, but the story behind the Berlin Colosseum is quite a tale. Long before audiences gathered under the famous Colosseum sign for movie premieres, the building served a completely different purpose: it housed horses.

From Horse Stable to Glittering Movie Palace

The history of this striking brick building begins long before the first major film premieres. In 1894, the building was constructed as a carriage house for the Great Berlin Horse-Drawn Railway. Where culture enthusiasts gather today, more than 360 horses were once housed, keeping the local transportation system of the rapidly growing metropolis running. Even today, impressive fragments of this industrial transportation architecture remain preserved beneath the modern façade. It wasn’t until 1924 that the bold transformation took place, and the massive carriage hall was spectacularly remodeled.

With approximately 1,200 seats, the Colosseum finally opened its doors as a magnificent movie theater and played a decisive role in shaping Berlin’s entertainment scene. Through World War II, the division into East and West Berlin, and numerous changes in ownership, the building continually reinvented itself and demonstrated tremendous adaptability. After a temporary bankruptcy in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Colosseum was finally converted into a multifunctional event space in 2023. Today, its time-honored halls combine Berlin’s rich history with state-of-the-art entertainment.

It is precisely this unmistakable, raw atmosphere that makes the Colosseum the perfect venue today for experiences that go far beyond traditional cinema. Whether it’s gripping interactive suspense with *The Jury Experience*, intimate musical performances at *The Jazz Room*, or humorous wine tastings with *An Idiot’s Guide to Wine* —the historic ambiance lends every event held here a very special magic. An impressive piece of Berlin’s history that makes for the perfect day trip destination!