St. Mary's Church

Berlin, Germany

The exact age of the original St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche) site and structure is not precisely known, but it was first mentioned in German chronicles in 1292. It is presumed to date from earlier in the 13th century. The architecture of the building is now largely composed of comparatively modern restoration work which took place in the late 19th century and in the post-war period. The church was originally a Roman Catholic church, but has been a Lutheran Protestant church since the Protestant Reformation.

Along with the Nikolaikirche, the Marienkirche is the oldest church in Berlin. The oldest parts of the church are made from granite, but most of it is built of brick, giving it its characteristic bright red appearance. This was deliberately copied in the construction of the nearby Berlin City Hall, the Rotes Rathaus. During World War II, it was heavily damaged by Allied bombs. After the war the church was in East Berlin, and in the 1950s it was restored by the East German authorities.

Before World War II, the Marienkirche was in the middle of a densely populated part of the district of Mitte, and was in regular use as a parish church. After the war, this area was cleared of ruined buildings and today the church stands in the open spaces around the Alexanderplatz, and is overshadowed by the East Berlin television tower, the Fernsehturm.

There is a striking statue of Martin Luther outside the church. The Marienkirche also contains the tomb of Field Marshal Otto Christoph von Sparr. Carl Hildebrand Freiherr von Canstein, the founder of the oldest Bible society of the world, the Cansteinsche Bibelanstalt, was buried here in 1719.

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Religious sites in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Axel (11 months ago)
Visiting St. Mary’s Church was an unexpectedly profound experience. The simplicity of the architecture, combined with its rich history, creates an atmosphere that invites reflection. As light gently poured in through the stained glass, there was a moment where it felt like our souls were quietly embraced by the space. It’s a place where time slows down, offering a rare chance to connect with something deeper. St. Mary’s may not have the grandeur of larger cathedrals, but it leaves a lasting, soulful impression that’s difficult to forget.
Rajendra Srivastava (18 months ago)
Nice beautiful old church, right next to Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower) at Alexander Platz , just 5 min walk. Amazing architecture, paintings and artefacts. Free entry, must go place for tourists as well as for locals.
win task (2 years ago)
Good to be there. Nice and quiet as peaceful as it could be. Just meditate myself. Much history and details. It’s just at the corner of Alexanderplatz square. If you around the visit it.
Kent Wang (2 years ago)
St Mary's Church is the oldest church in Berlin, with parts dating to 1243, although much of the current building is from the 19th century. The structure is mostly neo-Gothic, with some Baroque furnishings, such as the exuberant pulpit and organ. The church was originally Roman Catholic, but has been Lutheran Protestant since the Reformation in 1539.
Rasa Aleksaite (2 years ago)
Wonderful church, one of the oldest remaining in Berlin, plenty of ancient paintures, tomb's sculptures and restored dance-macabre fresque Visit for free. On Mondays at 2:30PM there are free organ music concerts
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.