Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral is the
former court cathedral of Prussia's royal family, the
Hohenzollern and was conceived as a protestant answer to St.
Peter's Basilica in Rome.It was built to plans by Julius Carl
Raschdorff from 1894–1905, during the reign of Kaiser
Wilhelm II. as the royal and memorial church of the Hohenzollern;
the previous cathedral, built 1747-50 and refurbished in
classical style by Schinkel, had been demolished. Ignoring the
criticisms of his contemporaries, the new cathedral arose in
accordance with the wishes of Kaiser Wilhelm II. – a
sumptuously ornamented, domed building inspired by the Italian
High Renaissance style. Following extensive damage to the
building during the Second World War, a simplified reconstruction
took place from 1975–93.
The magnificent interior was
designed by Julius Raschdorff around the turn of the last
century. In the "Sermon Chapel", there is a golden
altar frieze depicting the 12 apostles, constructed to the
designs of K. F. Schinkel; the large, impressive Sauer organ, and
the magnificent sarcophagi of the Great Elector and Electress
Dorothea, King Friedrich I. and Queen Sophie Charlotte can also
be seen there. The main altar, dating from 1850, is the work of
Friedrich August Stüler. The Christening and Marriage Chapel
contains the altar painting "Miracle of the Pentecost"
by K. Begas the Elder. The royal crypt of the Hohenzollern
contains around 100 remains.
Click on the
small pictures to get a larger version.
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Pulpit |
Alter |
Organ |
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