Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe) in Berlin reigns as Germany's largest department store, with approximately 60,000 square meters (645,000 sq ft) of sales space across eight floors. Opened in 1907 on Wittenbergplatz, it survived wartime destruction, Cold War isolation (West Berlin's showcase of abundance), and reunification to become a retail landmark.
The seventh-floor gourmet department—34,000+ products, 1,800 cheeses, a legendary delicatessen—draws locals and tourists alike. KaDeWe isn't just a store; it's a cultural institution where Berlin's history, cosmopolitanism, and appetite for quality converge.