Am Lustgarten • (030) 20 26 91 19 • Open Apr–Sep: 9am– 8pm daily; Oct–Mar: 9am–7pm daily (Opening hours subject to concert schedule, check website) • Adm • www.berlinerdom.de
Berlin Cathedral, the largest and most lavish church in the city, was reopened in 1993, after almost 40 years of restoration work. Designed by Julius Raschdorf between 1894 and 1905, the building (see Berliner Dom) reflects the empire’s aspirations to power. In particular, the black marble imperial stairs are a sign of the proximity of the Hohenzollern residence opposite the cathedral. Members of this powerful ruling dynasty are buried in the crypt. The main nave, topped by an 85-m (279-ft) high dome, is remarkable. The church is dominated by a splendid 20th-century Neo-Baroque pulpit and the giant Sauer organ.
Berlin’s largest Catholic church (see St Hedwigskathedrale) was built by Frederick the Great in 1747–73 after his conquest of Silesia.
Work started in 1270 on the Church of St Mary (see Marienkirche), which nestles at the foot of the Fernsehturm. Gothic and Baroque in style, it has an impressive Neo-Gothic tower, added in 1790 by Carl Gotthard Langhans. The font (1437) and the fresco Dance of the Dead (1485) are among the oldest treasures of the church. The richly ornamented Baroque pulpit was made by Andreas Schlüter in 1703.
Nikolaikirchplatz • Open 10am–6pm daily • Adm • www.en.stadtmuseum.de
Berlin’s oldest sacred building, this was built in 1230 in the Nikolaiviertel quarter. The present church dates to around 1300. It is particularly famous for the portal on the west wall of the main nave, created by Andreas Schlüter. It is adorned with a gilded relief depicting a goldsmith and his wife. The church was rebuilt in 1987 and completely restored in 2009. It is now a museum exploring the history of the church and the surrounding area. Events and concerts are held here on a regular basis.
The largest synagogue (see Synagoge Rykestraße) in Berlin, Rykestraße is one of the few Jewish places of worship in Germany to have survived Kristallnacht. It looks the same today as when it was originally built over 100 years ago.
Hohenzollerndamm 166 • Open only during service 10am & 6pm Sat, 10am Sun
Berlin’s largest Russian-Orthodox church, the Church of Christ’s Ascension is known for its green onion domes. Services are held in Russian, following Orthodox rituals.
Werderscher Markt • Closed for restoration
This Neo-Gothic church, built in 1824–30 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, has an impressive façade. Originally it was meant to serve the German and French communities of the Friedrichswerder district.
Once Berlin’s largest synagogue, this was built originally in 1859–66. It was demolished in World War II and partially reconstructed in 1988–95. Its magnificent, ornate dome is visible from afar.
A West Berlin landmark, this Church (see Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche) successfully combines modern architecture with the ruins of the church tower.
Gendarmenmarkt 5 • Open summer: 10am–7pm daily; winter: 10:30am–6:30pm daily • www.franzoesischer-dom.de
At 66 m (216 ft) high, this domed Baroque tower (see Museumsinsel), which dates back to between 1780 and 1789, is a magnificent ornamental addition to the Friedrichstadtkirche serving Berlin’s Huguenot community.
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