Berlin Cathedral
The present baroque structure, which is situated on an island in the river Spree (also known as Museum Island), is relatively new, dating back to 1905; however, the church's history stretches back to 1465, with its predecessor the St Erasmus Chapel, which served as part of the Hohenzollern Royal Court and which in 1465 became a collegiate church.
When the Reformation years came in 1539, the then Elector Joachim II, proclaimed the church a ‘Lutherian church'. Through the centuries the church was pulled down, moved, converted from a Lutheran church to a court and parish one and renovated to keep up with then modern day styles. Indeed through the ages the Berliner Dom has had many guises and reinvented itself many times over.
Finally, in 1894, Wilhelm II ordered the domed cathedral to be demolished and construction began on the current cathedral. The structure was to be much larger than any of the previous buildings, the brief was to create the protestant equivalent of St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The cathedral was designed by Julius Raschdorff and was influenced by the Italian Renaissance style. For a protestant church the design is curiously ornate, intricately adorned with mosaics and notable artworks, including the famous Sauer's Organ, which was originally built in 1905, the organ has more than 7000 pipes. The cathedral also features a Neo-Baroque pulpit and beautiful stained glass windows.
During World War II, the Berliner Dom was bombed by the Allied Forces and suffered severe damages. A temporary roof was put up to try to protect the interior and reconstruction took place in 1975. The interior reconstruction began in 1984 and the cathedral reopened in 1993, with the original design modified into a more simple form.
There is an amazing view to the dome and the interior from the Dome Gallery, but be prepared to climb 270 steps to reach the top. It's definitely worth it, and actually the climb is pleasant; the wide stairwell leaves plenty of space to pause and catch your breath, and the way is lined with historic images and models depicting the history of the Berliner Dom.
The cathedral is open Monday to Saturday 9am-8pm and Sundays and holidays from 12-8pm. In the winter (October-March) it closes at 7pm. There is an entrance price and guided tours of the dome are an option.
The Berliner Dom is situated on the Am Lustgarten 1, Mitte, Berlin and you can catch bus or tram to arrive.
If you are going to Berlin on a city break - then we recommend a holiday apartment in Berlin as the best way to stay.
When the Reformation years came in 1539, the then Elector Joachim II, proclaimed the church a ‘Lutherian church'. Through the centuries the church was pulled down, moved, converted from a Lutheran church to a court and parish one and renovated to keep up with then modern day styles. Indeed through the ages the Berliner Dom has had many guises and reinvented itself many times over.
Finally, in 1894, Wilhelm II ordered the domed cathedral to be demolished and construction began on the current cathedral. The structure was to be much larger than any of the previous buildings, the brief was to create the protestant equivalent of St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The cathedral was designed by Julius Raschdorff and was influenced by the Italian Renaissance style. For a protestant church the design is curiously ornate, intricately adorned with mosaics and notable artworks, including the famous Sauer's Organ, which was originally built in 1905, the organ has more than 7000 pipes. The cathedral also features a Neo-Baroque pulpit and beautiful stained glass windows.
During World War II, the Berliner Dom was bombed by the Allied Forces and suffered severe damages. A temporary roof was put up to try to protect the interior and reconstruction took place in 1975. The interior reconstruction began in 1984 and the cathedral reopened in 1993, with the original design modified into a more simple form.
There is an amazing view to the dome and the interior from the Dome Gallery, but be prepared to climb 270 steps to reach the top. It's definitely worth it, and actually the climb is pleasant; the wide stairwell leaves plenty of space to pause and catch your breath, and the way is lined with historic images and models depicting the history of the Berliner Dom.
The cathedral is open Monday to Saturday 9am-8pm and Sundays and holidays from 12-8pm. In the winter (October-March) it closes at 7pm. There is an entrance price and guided tours of the dome are an option.
The Berliner Dom is situated on the Am Lustgarten 1, Mitte, Berlin and you can catch bus or tram to arrive.
If you are going to Berlin on a city break - then we recommend a holiday apartment in Berlin as the best way to stay.
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