We are once again visiting Berlin, Germany's fascinating but also highly controversial capital city. But Berlin is more than just the capital of Germany—it is a place where history comes alive and the present meets the past. Hardly any other city in Europe has experienced as many political upheavals, cultural developments, and social changes as Berlin. From the Prussian royal seat to the divided metropolis of the Cold War to the vibrant cosmopolitan city of today, Berlin offers stories that resonate far beyond its borders.
The history of Berlin is marked by constant change and radical transformation. Originally founded in the 13th century as a small trading town, Berlin developed over the centuries into the residence of the Hohenzollern dynasty and later became the capital of Prussia. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city became the industrial and cultural center of Europe. After the destruction of World War II and the division by the Berlin Wall, for decades Berlin was a symbol of the Cold War. With the fall of the Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany, a new chapter began: Berlin became the capital of a united country and is now a vibrant metropolis that uniquely combines history and modernity. Of course, Berlin also faces all the problems that are difficult to avoid in many other metropolises around the world.
But today we're not going to focus on the present; we're going to take another history lesson and visit an extremely impressive building right in the so-called historic center of the city.
Let's go to the Berliner Dom. Rising up in the heart of Berlin, Berlin Cathedral is one of the city's most impressive buildings. Its mighty dome, ornate façade, and rich history make it an architectural and cultural landmark that still attracts many visitors today.
Berlin Cathedral is the official parish church and cathedral of Berlin. It is the largest Protestant church in Germany and an architectural masterpiece of the Neo-Renaissance. It is centrally located on Museum Island in Berlin's Mitte district, directly adjacent to the Lustgarten, and has long been a defining feature of the German capital's cityscape.
The history of Berlin Cathedral dates back to the 15th century, when it was originally the site of St. Erasmus Chapel. In 1536, the Elector Joachim II moved the cathedral chapter to the former Dominican church south of the palace. This church became the burial place of the House of Hohenzollern and played a central role in the religious and political history of Brandenburg and then Prussia.
Over the centuries, the cathedral was rebuilt and expanded several times. Under King Frederick II, a new Baroque building was constructed in 1750, which was later redesigned in a classicist style by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. But it was not until Emperor Wilhelm II, that from 1894 to 1905, the current monumental building was constructed. The goal at the time was to create a Protestant counterpart to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The result is impressive: a monumental church with a 98-meter-high dome and space for over 1,300 visitors.
Berlin Cathedral was built in the Neo-Renaissance style, with echoes of Baroque and Classicism. The architecture is monumental and representative – entirely in keeping with the Wilhelmine image of self-importance. The main dome rises to a height of 98 meters and has a diameter of 33 meters.
The interior is particularly impressive: the richly decorated pulpit, the altarpiece by Friedrich August von Kaulbach, and the monumental Sauer organ with over 7,000 pipes are among the highlights. Beneath the church is the Hohenzollern crypt, one of the most important dynastic burial sites in Europe. Unfortunately, it was being renovated and restored during our visit, so we were unable to see it.
Like many buildings around it, the cathedral was severely damaged during World War II. Reconstruction did not begin until the 1980s—the outside was rebuilt by 1984, and the inside was restored to its original state by 2002.
When visiting the inside, it is best to take your time and sit down. This is the best way to appreciate the full impact of the cathedral's interior and let it sink in. At first glance, everything seems a little overloaded, but if you let your gaze wander a little, you will notice many interesting details in this imposing church.
The dome of the cathedral is particularly impressive with its magnificent design. Looking up, you can see an artistically decorated vault adorned with richly decorated stucco elements, gilded ornaments, and biblical mosaics.
The dome reaches a height of 98 meters and depicts scenes from the New Testament, embedded in a harmonious interplay of color, light, and architecture. The design follows the neo-baroque style and conveys a very majestic atmosphere, which also had an effect on me, even though I am not usually very interested in religion.
Those who climb the 270 steps to the viewing platform below the dome roof are rewarded with a spectacular view over large parts of Berlin. As soon as you step onto the balustrade, the city spreads out before your eyes and you can see a never-ending sea of houses. You quickly realize that Berlin is far from complete, but seems to be in a state of constant change. There is always construction going on in the German capital, which for many Berliners is of course more of a curse than a blessing.
From here, you can also discover some additional architectural details of the dome up close that you would otherwise not be able to see from below. Only here can you really get a feel for the dimensions of this huge building.
And in addition, everything around you shifts into a completely different perspective. A view from here not only shows your own surroundings from a perhaps unfamiliar angle, but also helps you to position yourself more effectively.
Suddenly, everything down there seems so far away, and if you want, you should take your time. And while doing so, you might want to let not only your gaze wander into the distance, but also your thoughts and dreams.
Here, above the rooftops of the German capital, you can see not only the present, but also feel very close to the past, which has not only left positive traces in this city. Berlin has suffered and caused many others to suffer. And even if we don't have to remember this at every turn, it is still useful to understand where we and where this city have come from. This could help us to better understand where we want to go from here.
The future has not yet been written, and there are still many opportunities to change the direction we are heading in. Perhaps we should all climb onto the roofs of our own cities more often—such a change of perspective can help us to better understand and accept reality. Perhaps afterwards, you will see everything down there with completely different eyes.
But even if not, at least you will have enjoyed a beautiful view and perhaps spotted one or two destinations you still want to visit today. As for Berlin, this city still has a lot to offer in this regard....
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