The Mendelssohns are one of the great German family dynasties, starting with the pater familias, Jewish Enlightenment philosopher Moses Mendelssohn (1729–86). The bank founded by his son Joseph in 1795 grew into Berlin's largest private banking house and moved into the city's 'Wall Street' on Jägerstrasse in 1890. An exhibit in its former counter hall traces the fate and history of this influential family, who was forced into bankrupcty by the Nazis, prompting many members to flee Germany.
