Rare Old Map of Battle of Berlin, WW2 (Soviet Union Issue), 1945: Tiergarten, Reichstag, Charlottenburg

The "План г. Берлин 1:25000" (Plan of Berlin 1:25000) is a historically significant map, meticulously crafted by the Leningrad Military Mapping Unit in 1945. This map, known as "The Victory Map," played a pivotal role during the Battle of Berlin, guiding Soviet troops through the city's complex urban landscape. The map spans from the Tegeler Sea to Neukölln, covering an area of ten by twenty miles, and offers an unparalleled level of detail that was crucial for the Red Army's strategic maneuvers during the final stages of World War II.

Berlin, a city rich in history and culture, is depicted with remarkable accuracy on this map. The map highlights significant neighborhoods such as Charlottenburg, Mitte, and Kreuzberg, each with its own unique historical and cultural importance. Charlottenburg, known for its opulent palaces and gardens, contrasts with the bustling, commercial heart of Mitte, home to iconic landmarks like Alexanderplatz and the Reichstag. Kreuzberg, with its vibrant cultural scene, adds another layer of depth to this intricate portrayal of Berlin.

The map also meticulously details Berlin's extensive network of streets and roads, including major thoroughfares like Unter den Linden, Kurfürstendamm, and Friedrichstraße. These streets, each steeped in history, provide a glimpse into the city's dynamic urban fabric. Unter den Linden, for instance, is renowned for its grand boulevard lined with linden trees, leading to the Brandenburg Gate, while Kurfürstendamm is synonymous with luxury shopping and vibrant nightlife.

Berlin's natural features are also prominently displayed, with large parks such as the Tiergarten and Grunewald offering green oases amidst the urban sprawl. The Tiergarten, Berlin's central park, is a historic landmark in its own right, originally a hunting ground for the Prussian kings and now a beloved public park. The Grunewald, a vast forested area, provides a stark contrast to the city's dense urban core, highlighting Berlin's unique blend of nature and urbanity.

This map is not just a navigational tool but a historical document that captures a pivotal moment in time. The Leningrad Military Mapping Unit's expertise is evident in the map's precise detailing, which was achieved using a combination of outdated German maps, tourist guides, photographic postcards, and reconnaissance from Dornier spy planes. This map offers a rare and invaluable glimpse into Berlin's wartime geography, making it a prized possession for historians, collectors, and anyone with a passion for the rich tapestry of Berlin's past.

Streets and roads on this map:

• Alexanderplatz
• Alt-Moabit
• Bismarckstraße
• Blücherstraße
• Chausseestraße
• Danziger Straße
• Ebersstraße
• Frankfurter Allee
• Friedrichstraße
• Gneisenaustraße
• Greifswalder Straße
• Hermannstraße
• Invalidenstraße
• Karl-Marx-Straße
• Kurfürstendamm
• Landsberger Allee
• Leipziger Straße
• Müllerstraße
• Nollendorfplatz
• Oranienstraße
• Potsdamer Straße
• Prenzlauer Allee
• Schönhauser Allee
• Seestraße
• Sonnenallee
• Spandauer Damm
• Tempelhofer Damm
• Turmstraße
• Unter den Linden
• Wilhelmstraße

Notable Features & Landmarks:

• Lakes:
• Tegeler See
• Großer Wannsee
• Large parks:
• Tiergarten
• Grunewald
• Neighborhoods:
• Neukölln
• Charlottenburg
• Mitte
• Kreuzberg

Historical and design context:

• "The Victory Map": The Official Soviet Map Used in the Battle of Berlin, April 1945.
• Issued by the Soviet Union in 1945, shortly before the Fall of Berlin.
• Used by front-line Red Army troops during the last stages of the European theatre of World War II and carried into the city they depict.
• Shows most of Greater Berlin, spanning from the Tegeler Sea to Neukölln, roughly depicting an area of ten by twenty miles.
• Extensive and accurate detail showing many roads, neighborhoods, and places of importance.
• Edition identified by numbering in the lower right, this one is edition "Зак. 813 IV 45 Д".
• Based on the 1:15,000 map of Berlin by the Leningrad Military Mapping Unit.
• Created during the Siege of Leningrad, using outdated 1930s German maps, tourist guides, and photographic postcards.
• Augmented with material from Dornier spy planes.
• Copies made by the Lithography Train of the Military Topographic Service along the eastern front.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.