Gendarmenmarkt

For many Berliners, it is the most impressive square in Berlin: the Gendarmenmarkt in the Friedrichstadt district. Lined by such monumental and historic buildings as the German Cathedral, the French Cathedral, and the Konzerthaus Berlin, the former Royal Theatre, it magically attracts visitors to the city. Today, the Gendarmenmarkt hosts popular concerts, markets, and festivals, including classic open-air concerts at the beginning of July and in particular the famous Christmas market.

Huguenots in Friedrichstadt

Elector Frederick III, the later Prussian King Frederick I, had the square designed during the construction of Friedrichstadt at the end of the17th century. Thanks to the edict of the Great Elector Wilhelm of Brandenburg, Huguenots who fled France to Prussia settled in Friedrichstadt. At that time, there were two simple churches on Gendarmenmarkt, which in the 1780s received today's representative tower buildings - the cathedrals. Originally, the square housed the stables of the cuirassier regiment of the Gens d'armes, after which the Gendarmenmarkt has been named since 1799.

Magnificent buildings on the Gendarmenmarkt

On the southern side of Gendarmenmarkt, the tall, slender dome tower of the German Cathedral towers imposingly into the sky above Friedrichstadt. On the top of the neo-baroque building, you can see a gilded statue - an allegory of virtue. Visit the interesting permanent exhibition on the development of parliamentary democracy in Germany in the pentagonal nave of the former church. The counterpart to the German Cathedral is the French Cathedral, finished in 1785, on the north side of the square with the French Friedrichstadtkirche from 1705, in which Huguenots celebrated their masses. Here, too, the striking dome tower is a much sought-after photo opportunity. In the cathedral, the Huguenot Museum invites you into the history of the 20,000 religious refugees who found a new home in Friedrichstadt. The abundance of paintings, engravings, books, manuscripts, and medals are impressive. An acoustic pleasure is the carillon consisting of 60 bells, which sounds daily between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. every hour on the hour. Climb the 40m high panoramic terrace of the cathedral and enjoy the splendid panoramic view over the historic quarter. None other than the famous Prussian master builder Karl Friedrich Schinkel built the concert hall in the west of the Gendarmenmarkt between 1817 and 1821. A concert in the magnificent neo-baroque auditorium should not be missed.

Significant advantages of the Berlin WelcomeCard

Think of getting the Berlin WelcomeCard when you visit Berlin and have a relaxed trip in the capital. With Berlin's official tourist ticket, you benefit from discounts of up to 50% for around 200 top attractions. World-famous museums, exciting sightseeing tours, and attractive events await you. And it gets even better: with the all-inclusive Berlin WelcomeCard you get free entry to 30 highlights and an up to 30% discount in restaurants and shops. Use of local public transport is also free.