The Berlin Cathedral

On the island of Spree, not far from the famous Museums Island, stands the largest church in the German capital: the Berlin Cathedral, the sumptuous Italian Renaissance-style cathedral, a symbol of the Lutheran church and the prestige of the Hohenzollern family.

The church, in its current form, was built at the behest of Emperor Wilhelm II and especially his wife, who felt that the then modest cathedral did not adequately reflect the greatness of the Protestant religion, nor suitably represent the power of the royal dynasty.

The monarchs decided to build the new church to replace the one dating back to the mid-1700s that was demolished. Construction began in 1894 and was completed in 1905.

The result was a monumental church (114 meters long, 73 meters wide, and 116 meters high) marked by a tall copper dome visible from many points in the city, where baroque and late Renaissance merge in a lavish architecture both inside and out.

Severely damaged during World War II, the Berlin Cathedral was reopened in 1993 after 18 years of restoration and reconstruction work. Today, the cathedral, also referred to as "the gateway to the Museum Island", with its striking shape and rich interior, is one of the main attractions of the city.

Enhancing its charm are: the crypt containing the royal tombs of many members of the Hohenzollern family, the stunning view from the dome over Mitte, and concerts played on the ancient organ.

The "grandeur" of the religious building is also reflected in the interior, richly decorated and adorned with high-quality elements.

Beautiful is the neo-baroque altar in white marble (belonging to the previous church), stunning stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, spectacular the ancient organ, one of the largest in the country, monumental the sarcophagus of Frederick I and his second wife Sophia Charlotte.

Don't miss visiting the Baptismal and Marriage Chapel, the Preaching Chapel, and the crypt of the Hohenzollern royal family that houses 90 funerary monuments.

The magnificently frescoed dome and the wonderful loggia, accessible via the imperial staircase decorated with landscape scenes, captivate visitors.

Also noteworthy are the statues at the base of the arch from which the dome rises, representing the most important reformers of the church.

Climbing 270 steps takes you to the top of the dome where you can closely admire the paintings depicting events from the New Testament and the Reformation period. The view from the top of the dome over historic Berlin and the Spree, dotted with boats and small vessels, is also enchanting. It's a bit of a workout, but the effort will be well rewarded.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sunday and holidays from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM; from October to March closes at 7:00 PM.

Ticket price: €9

How to get there: Am Lustgarten

Metro S-Bahn: 5, 7, and 75 stop Alexander Platz