Renovation of vandalized Humboldt University lecture hall estimated at €250,000

The cost of repairing a historic lecture hall at Humboldt University in Berlin, which was vandalized during a protest by pro-Palestinian activists, has been estimated at approximately €250,000. The disruption, which occurred in April 2025, saw demonstrators tearing out seating, dismantling doors, and defacing walls.

The protesters occupied the Emil-Fischer-Saal, a protected historical site, on April 16, 2025. The incident escalated when the activists removed wooden benches anchored in place and graffiti appeared on various surfaces. Slogans such as "Free Gaza" and "Zionists are fascists," alongside the Hamas symbol, were painted on the walls. More than 300 police officers were needed to evacuate the building, which had been barricaded from within.

Initial damage estimates ranged between €60,000 and €100,000. However, a recent written communication in response to an inquiry by Green Party lawmaker Andreas Otto has revised the figure upward. It is now anticipated that the restoration costs will be around €250,000. Of this sum, Humboldt University has indicated that repairing and replacing the seating and part of the floor anchorage alone accounts for approximately €170,000. Despite the damage, the university reported that the essential historical features of the hall remain intact and unharmed.

The aftermath of the protest has led to significant legal action. Authorities initiated 100 criminal investigations following the incident. Currently, there are ongoing investigations against 88 individuals who have been identified. So far, 95 individual cases have been submitted to the public prosecutor's office by the Berlin police. The inquiries into the incident continue as authorities work through evidence and testimonies.

This event is part of a broader pattern of increased activism seen across Berlin universities following the escalation of conflict involving Hamas in Israel. Multiple protests have been staged by pro-Palestinian groups in the city's academic institutions, making the Humboldt University incident a notable example of how tensions have materialized in educational environments.