The French and German domes

You’ve probably noticed that one of the main features of this square is the striking resemblance between the two churches, one on each side of the Konzerthaus theatre, keeping the place in perfect harmony. However, they were not built at the same time. The one you are facing now is the German Cathedral, which houses a museum about the country’s history. To the right of the Konzerthaus is the French Cathedral, which was built by Protestant exiles. Inside it is the Huguenot museum, tracing their history and exile, as well as a panoramic viewing platform. But why is there a French church in Berlin, and why do we sometimes call these churches cathedrals? First, let’s put ourselves into the context of 17th-century Europe. France was experiencing severe riots and terrible conflicts during the Wars of Religion. Protestant Germany, and therefore Berlin, welcomed a large number of French refugees seeking to practice their Lutheran faith in safety. In 1695, the king agreed to provide construction materials, and the Huguenots were able to build their own church, which was inaugurated in 1701. A few years later, construction on the German church began, intended for Berlin’s Lutheran community and commissioned by Queen Sophie Charlotte. It’s mostly thanks to the architect Carl von Gontard that these two buildings look so similar today, who added towers topped with large domes to both churches. It’s because of these domes that the buildings were referred to as cathedrals, but don’t be misled—both are actually churches. It’s normal to translate buildings named ‘Dom’ in German or ‘Duomo’ in Italian as cathedrals in English, even though they are not actually always cathedrals. During World War II, all the buildings on the square were seriously damaged. East Germany financed their reconstruction, which took place between 1977 and 1983, managing to identically reproduce the main monuments. Religious services are no longer held in the German Cathedral, but feel free to visit its exhibitions if you’d like to see the interior!