Französischer Dom

The Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) is the oldest of the two former churches on Gendarmenmarkt, a beautiful square in Berlin. The church was built by the Huguenot community and now houses a Huguenot museum.

Many Huguenots (French Calvinists) fled to Berlin from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Crown Prince Friedrich William encouraged the refugees to settle here because most were skilled workers or otherwise useful to the kingdom.

Built by the Huguenot community between 1701 and 1705, the Französischer Dom was modeled after a destroyed Huguenot church in Charenton-Saint-Maurice, France. The tower and porticos were added by architect Carl von Gontard in 1785.

Today, the former church hosts a Huguenot museum with a viewing platform and restaurant.

The Huguenot Museum (Hugenottenmuseum) documents the influence on Berlin by the Huguenots. The Calvinist Protestants' famous work ethic and commercial expertise helped Berlin to flourish during the 18th century.

One notable artwork in the museum (in Room 9) shows Crown Princess Dorothea exclaiming "But he's a refugee!" upon being presented with a valuable set of jewels by Pierre Fromery. The arrival of the talented and even wealthy Huguenots in Germany certainly dispelled the stereotype of refugees as poor and a drain on society.