Berliner Dom, Berlin
The impressive Berliner Dom has been called the "Protestant St. Peter's."
Side view of the Berliner Dom.
Aerial view of the Berliner Dom, courtesy of Google Earth.
Back of the Berliner Dom from across the river. Photo
Thomas Gerzer.
Berliner Dom during a light show in October 2006. Photo
Jochen Bihn.
The baroque interior of Berlin Cathedral. Photo
Rolf M. 
Side door of the Berliner Dom. Photo
Thomas Gerzer.
Location map and aerial view of Berliner Dom. For a larger interactive view, see our Berlin Map.
The Berliner Dom in Berlin, Germany, is an impressive basilica known as the "Protestant St. Peter's." The present Baroque structure dates only from 1905, but stands on the site of several earlier structures. Berlin's cathedral is not a must-see, but it is certainly worth a look if time allows.
History
The earliest predecessor of the Berliner Dom was the St. Erasmus Chapel within the Hohenzollern royal court, which was elevated to the status of a collegiate church in 1465.
In 1536, Elector Joachim II transfered this "Domkirche" status to the former Dominican church south of the palace. After the elector accepted the Reformation in 1539, the Domkirche became a Lutheran church. In 1608, the the Dom was declared the highest parish church in the area. In 1613, Elector Johann Sigismund converted to Calvinism and the Dom became a court and parish church.
In 1747-50, that was replaced with a new cathedral north of the palace by Frederick the Great. Designed by Johann Boumann the Elder, this incarnation was in the Baroque style. After the royal sarcophagi were transferred from the crypt, the old cathedral was torn down.
To celebrate the union of Prussia’s Lutheran and Reformed communities, the Berliner Dom was renovated in the Neoclassical style in 1822 by the Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
Finally, on the order of Wilhelm II, Schinkel's domed cathedral was demolished in 1894 and construction began on the current cathedral. Designed by Julius Raschdorff and completed in 1905, it is much larger than any of the previous buildings. Designed in the Baroque style with Italian Renaissance influences, it was considered a Protestant answer to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
During World War II, the building was bombed by the Allies and severely damaged. A temporary roof was installed to protect what remained of the interior and in 1975 reconstruction began. The restoration of the interior was begun in 1984 and in 1993 the church reopened. During reconstruction, the original design was modified into a more simple form.
What to See
The large "Protestant St. Peter's" measures 114 m long and 73 m wide. The dome is intricately decorated with mosaics. Other notable artworks include Sauer's Organ, the Neo-Baroque pulpit and stained glass windows designed by Anton von Werner. The main altar dates from 1850.
An excellent view of the dome and entire interior can be had from the dome's gallery. The 270-step climb to the top is more pleasant than at most cathedrals, with a wide stairwell, plenty of places to pause, and interesting historic photos and models to look at along the way.
The most historically significant feature of the Berliner Dom is the crypt, with more than 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals. The most impressive are the tombs of Frederick I and his queen, Sophie Charlotte. But non-enthusiasts may not find the tombs terribly interesting.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Berliner Dom; Berlin Cathedral |
| Location: | Berlin, Germany |
| Category: | Cathedrals |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Protestant |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1905 |
| Architecture: | Baroque |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 52.519329° N, 13.40117° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Am Lustgarten 1, Mitte, Berlin, Germany |
| Phone: | +49 (0)30/2026-9136 |
| Website: | www.berlinerdom.de |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm Sun and holidays: 12-8pm Closes at 7pm in winter (October-March) |
| Tours: | Guided tours of the dome are provided on site. Reservations: +49 (0)30 202 69 119 |
| Cost: | €5 (€3 students, retirees, etc.); €8 with audio guide |
| Photography: | Permitted |
| Public transport: | Alexanderplatz (S-bahn and U-bahn) Hackescher Markt (S-bahn) Bus: 100, 157, 348 Tram: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 53 |
Travel Resources for Berlin
- Berlin Map - our detailed interactive map of Berlin, plus hand-picked links to more
- Berlin Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Berlin
- Berlin Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Berlin Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Berlin Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Berlin Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Berlin
- Berlin Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Berlin Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Berlin tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Personal visit (March 4, 2008).
- Berliner Dom – official site
- Berliner Dom - Fodors.com
- Berliner Dom - Frommers.com
- Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) Reviews - TripAdvisor
Article last updated: 04/13/2009.
