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Berlin Cathedral

Berlin

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14 Photos

Berlin Cathedral - Featured Image
Berlin Cathedral - Image 2
Berlin Cathedral exterior
Berlin Cathedral exterior
Berlin Cathedral exterior
Berlin Cathedral interior
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About This Attraction

Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) stands as the largest Protestant church in Germany and one of Berlin’s most magnificent architectural landmarks. The present collegiate church was built from 1894 to 1905 by order of Emperor William II according to plans by Julius Raschdorff in Renaissance and Baroque Revival styles.

The mighty Berlin Cathedral in the heart of the city is impossible to miss thanks to its striking dome. Located on Museum Island, this impressive basilica served as a representative stage for the Hohenzollern dynasty, the rulers of Prussia and later the German Emperors.

With its elaborate decorative and ornamental designs, the church interior is especially worth seeing. The cathedral features stunning marble columns, gilded ornaments, ornate mosaics, and magnificent stained glass windows. Once the 270 steps have been climbed, a wonderful view opens up over Berlin’s Mitte district with the TV Tower, the Spree River and the Nikolai Quarter.

The cathedral houses the Hohenzollern Crypt, the most important dynastic crypt in Germany, and one of a handful of major dynastic crypts in Europe, containing Ninety-four sarcophagi and burial monuments range from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th, spanning four centuries of Brandenburg-Prussian burial culture.

Interesting Facts

The Berlin Cathedral, in the centre of the capital, is the largest Protestant church in Germany.
The Hohenzollern crypt beneath the Berlin Cathedral is the most important dynastic crypt in Germany.
The organ in the Dome has 7,269 pipes and 113 registers on four manuals – again, one of the largest organs in the country.
The dome of the cathedral was flanked by four corner towers and rose a good 114 meters above street level.
During the Second World War, the Berlin Cathedral was severely damaged. A liquid fire bomb turned the main nave and the Hohenzollern crypt into ruins.
In 1975, reconstruction started, simplifying the building's original design and demolishing the north wing, the 'Denkmalskirche' – Memorial Church by the East German government for ideological reasons.
The cathedral's distinctive green dome is made of copper that has oxidized over time.
Standing proudly on Museum Island, the Berliner Dom is instantly recognizable by its vibrant green domes that pierce the skyline.
Despite its name, Berlin Cathedral is not technically a cathedral as it's not the seat of a bishop.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM (summer), 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (winter). Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (due to church services). Last admission in each case 60 minutes before.

Entrance Fee

Normal ticket: 10 Euro Family ticket: 10 Euro (1 adult with up to 3 children under 18)

Recommended Duration

1-2 hours

Best Time to Visit

Evening, Fall, Morning, Spring, Summer, Weekdays, Weekends, Winter

Address

Am Lustgarten 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany

Location & Map

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yet although the church is known as a cathedral, it actually has the status of a parish church – though not just any parish. Despite its name, it's not technically a cathedral as it's not the seat of a bishop, but rather serves as the High Parish and Cathedral Church.
Normal ticket: 10 Euro for adults, while Admission for children under the age of 18 is free. Visitors can experience this architectural marvel for free by attending a Sunday service. The Holy Communion is held at 10 am every Sunday.
The church is open in summer from 9 to 20 o'clock, in winter from 9 to 19 o'clock. On Sundays and public holidays, the Berlin Cathedral is only open to the public from 12 noon because of the church services.
The Hohenzollern crypt beneath the Berlin Cathedral is the most important dynastic crypt in Germany. The crypt contains 90 burials from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century. However, The Hohenzollern crypt is not accessible until Spring 2026 due to renovation work.
The cathedral was designed in Renaissance and Baroque Revival styles with elaborate decorative and ornamental designs Much larger than any of the previous buildings, it was meant as a protestant counterweight to the Catholic St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Yes, the cathedral has regular Protestant services. The Dome has a regular parish and services (in German) are free of charge. Sunday services are held at 10:00 AM.
Visitors can explore the main nave with its massive dome, ornate decorations, marble altar, impressive organ, Imperial Staircase, Cathedral Museum, and when open, the Hohenzollern Crypt. The dome climb offers panoramic views of Berlin.