Berlin Cathedral was built during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II, between 1894 and 1905, according to the plans of the architect Julius Raschdorff, in the Italian Renaissance style, on the site of a small Baroque cathedral.

The cathedral includes three churches: the main church (Predigtkirche), the chapel for weddings and baptisms, and the memorial church, where the crypt of the Hohenzollern family is located.

In May 1944, a bomb hit the vault and seriously damaged the building. The vault collapsed, destroying much of the church's interior and its tombs. In the years that followed, the church was provisionally repaired.

In 1975, reconstruction of the church began. But during that same period, the memorial church fell to pieces. The church for weddings and baptisms was reopened in 1980.

In 1993, after 18 years of work, the main church was reopened. But the restoration was not completely finished until 2002.

Inside the cathedral, visitors will see the marvelous mosaics by Anton von Werner; marble sculptures showing the four European Reformers (Luther, Zwingli, Melanchthon, and Calvin); the ceremonial sarcophagi of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and his second wife Dorothea, and also of King Friedrich I and Sophie Charlotte; the marvelous organ, which is the largest still intact pneumatic instrument from the Germanic period, and the magnificent Emperor's Staircase, adorned in marble and gold.

It is possible to climb the 270 steps to the top of the dome to admire the beautiful view of Berlin. To get there, the visitor passes through staircases and small corridors and many doors.

There are also other types of guided tours that include the crypt, organ, and museum. These can also be combined with an organ concert. These visits are not included in the ticket price and are charged extra.

Opening

It is generally open Monday to Saturday from 10:00-18:00; on Sundays and holidays it is only open after the service (usually from 12:00-18:00).

Tickets

It costs €10.00 (includes access to the nave, crypt and ascent to the dome).

Address

Am Lustgarten

S3/S5/S7 Alexanderplatz Station

U5 Museumsinsel Station

Bus lines 100 ou 200 (Lustgarten stop)