The magnificent dome of the Cathedral Church (Berliner Dom) is one of the main landmarks in Berlin’s cityscape – and marks the spot of the impressive basilica housing the city’s most important Protestant church. With its elaborate decorative and ornamental designs, the church interior is especially worth seeing.

Yet although the church is known as a cathedral, it actually has the status of a parish church – though not just any parish. This was the court church to the Hohenzollern dynasty, the rulers of Prussia and later the German Emperors. Today, as the High Parish and Cathedral Church, the church serves the Protestant community in Berlin and the surrounding areas. The congregation is not based on place of residence, but open through admission to all baptised Protestants in the region.

The history of the church on the island in the River Spree goes back to the fifteenth century, when the chapel of the new royal city palace was elevated to the status of a collegiate church. As a collegiate church, this was a Domkirche (cathedral church). Even though not technically a cathedral, since it is neither the seat of a bishop nor the central church in a diocese, the church continued to be known as the Dom (cathedral) down the centuries.

In the early nineteenth century, Prussia’s leading architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel transformed the court church into a neo-classical building. But fifty years on, tastes had changed. By the time Friedrich Wilhelm II came to throne as Emperor of Germany in 1888, several designs had been proposed for a new church, though none had been accepted. The Emperor also found the Schinkel church far too modest, and insisted on a new monumental church in keeping with the imperial monarchy’s power and prestige. Architect Julius Carl Raschdorff was commissioned for the new church, but had to present three designs before Wilhelm II was satisfied. Raschdorff’s opulent, grandiose structure was Berlin’s answer to Saint Peter’s in Rome and Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The old building was demolished in 1893, and the foundation stone for the new church laid in 1894. Eleven years later in 1905, the new church was consecrated. The church was severely damaged during the Second World War. After the division of Germany, the Cathedral Church was in East Berlin. The work on restoring the church began there in 1975, although in a simplified form. The full restoration was only completed in 1993, four years after the Berlin Wall fell. In 2008, a new golden cross on the dome replaced the rather simple one from the East German period.

The Cathedral Church is dominated by a monumental dome crowned by a lantern with a golden cross and flanked by four towers. Raschdorff drew his inspiration from the Italian High Renaissance and the more florid baroque style. With its lavish mix of ornamental mosaics, gold features and impressive statues, the octagonal interior is clearly informed by the late nineteenth century’s love of grand gestures and display. The most notable works of art are the marble and onyx altar, designed by Friedrich August Stüler, and the white marble baptismal font by Christian Daniel Rauch. In the Baptismal and Matrimonial Chapel, the monumental painting of the Descent of the Holy Spirit by Carl Begas in the style of Raphael is also well worth seeing.

The main nave with the massive dome soaring above it is certainly one of the church’s signature sights, and not to be missed. In contrast, the simpler Baptismal and Matrimonial Chapel is far more meditative, inviting visitors to stop, rest and reflect. The Hohenzollern Crypt, the most important dynastic sepulchre in Germany, contains nearly 100 sarcophagi and burial monuments from four centuries. Some are plain and simple, while others are extremely ornate as, for example, the sarcophagi carved by Andreas Schlüter for Friedrich I and Queen Sophie Charlotte, which are ranked as masterpieces of baroque sculpture.

The only Hohenzollern ruler not buried here is Kaiser Wilhelm II, who abdicated at the end of the First World War in 1918. His body lies in a mausoleum in the grounds of his house in Holland, where he lived in exile.

The museum showcases drawings, designs and models illustrating the history of the Cathedral Church. In particular, the walk-in models give an impressive sense of the church interior. And to get a marvellous impression of the exterior, you can climb 270 steps to the dome’s outer walkway – and be rewarded by some stunning panoramic views! The richly decorated Imperial Staircase was intended for the use of the German Emperor. The stairwell comes with an American-made elevator included at the wish of Kaiser Wilhelm II, an enthusiastic follower of new technologies. The elevator is available for use by visitors with disabilities.

There is no viewing of the Cathedral Church during religious services and events.