Spanish Berlin Cathedral, also known as Berliner Dom, is not only at the heart center of Museum Island but can also be photographed from a plethora of photogenic angles. For instance, this Baroque palace architectural site can adorn the background of your photograph from the perspective of Friedrichs Bridge, which connects Museum Island to the center of Mitte, from the cafes found along the Spree just perpendicular to the bridge in both shade and sunlight, or you can enjoy your time in the scenic Lustgarten park planted right in between the cathedral and the canal. Many tourists and locals alike can be found lounging in the grass or enjoying the cool breeze in one of the many restaurants and cafes adjacent to the water.
The cathedral was first constructed in 1465 but wasn’t officially completed until 1905. The famous Hohenzollern family is buried on site where you can visit a number of sarcophagi and tombs, including the tomb of Prussian royalty. After the Second World War, the church, like many other grand buildings in Berlin, was severely damaged, and the Cathedral, like many other monumental buildings in Berlin, where found on the East side of the wall.
Renovations began under the DDR regime in 1975, but the Cathedral was completely restored by 1993 after the wall came down and Germany was finally unified. Since the restoration, the Cathedral has been open to wedding ceremonies, baptisms, and many other joyous family events.
Another reason why the Berlin Cathedral is a famous landmark attracting many tourists from all around the world, including tourists from Germany, is the spectacular view it offers of the surrounding vicinity. If your family is willing to walk up its 270 steps the reward is immense. You are privileged with a view out onto the entire Museum Island, the Spree and those enjoying their coffee or wine along the water, the famous Reichstag building, the television tower, the Great Synagogue, Gendarmenmarkt, the borough of Mitte and the beautiful street Unter den Linden, which is magnificently illuminated during the Christmas season.
The 360-degree view from the top is one of Berlin’s most notorious rooftop views. The rooftop is 50 meters over the Lustgarten park and in the summer months, you and your family can even capture some of Berlin’s tourist boats crossing the Spree.
This romantic destination has been the home of many memorable marriages, engagements, and family vacations. But wait, let’s not forget about the Cathedral’s interior! Within you will have the pleasure of viewing impressive mosaics, religious monuments, and of course the Hohenzollern family crypt. The church’s exterior is illuminated in the nighttime hours making it a fantastic destination for all hours of the day and evening.
