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 by Thomas Gerzer.
Berliner Dom during a light show in October 2006. Photo by Jochen Bihn.
The baroque interior of Berlin Cathedral. Photo by Rolf M.
Side door of the Berliner Dom. Photo by Thomas Gerzer.
The Berliner Dom in Berlin, Germany, is a magnificent basilica that has been dubbed the "Protestant St. Peter's." The present basilica dates from 1905, but stands on the site of several earlier structures.
History
A church has stood on the site of the Berliner Dom since 1465, when a court chapel was built for the Hohenzollern royal family.
This was replaced by a Baroque cathedral by Johann Boumann, completed in 1747. This one was remodeled in the Neoclassical style in 1822 by the Berlin architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
On the order of German Emperor Wilhelm II, Schinkel's domed cathedral was demolished in 1894 and replaced by the current cathedral.
Designed by Julius Raschdorff and completed in 1905, the 114 m long and 73 m wide cathedral is much larger than any of the previous buildings. The baroque structure with Italian Renaissance influences was considered a Protestant counterweight 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 dome is intricately decorated with mosaics. Visitors can climb to the dome's outer balcony, which is made easier by a wide stairwell, plenty of landings with historic photos and models, and even a couple of chairs.
The most historically significant feature of the Berliner Dom is the crypt, with more than 80 sarcophagi of Prussian royals. However, to the non-enthusiast the tombs can seem rather dull in apperance.
Other sights of interest include Sauer's Organ, the Neo-Baroque pulpit and the stained glass designed by Anton von Werner. The main altar, which was saved from the previous cathedral, dates from 1850.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Berliner Dom, Berlin Cathedral |
| Type of site: | Protestant church |
| Date: | 1905 |
| Architecture: | Baroque |
| Address: | Am Lustgarten 1, Berlin, Germany |
| Phone: | 030/2026-9136 |
| Website: | www.berlinerdom.de |
| Metro: | Alexanderplatz (S-bahn and U-bahn), Hackescher Markt (S-bahn). |
| Bus: | 100, 157, 348 |
| Tram: | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 53 |
| Cost: | 4€ |
| Tours: | Guided tours of the dome are provided on site. |
| Photography: | Permitted |
Travel Resources
- Guided Tours of Berlin - city tours and day trips
- Berlin Hotel Reviews - unbiased ratings from fellow travelers
- Berlin Hostels & Budget Hotels - budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Berlin Car Rentals - low prices and lots of choices at AutoEurope
- Berlin Travel Forum - get tips, advice, answers
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Berliner Dom. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Berlin Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Personal visit (March 4, 2008).
- Berliner Dom – official site
More Information
- Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) Reviews - TripAdvisor
