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.

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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

Rasa Aleksaite (9 months 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
Bex Deptford (11 months ago)
The church is impressive but I was surprised to see the souvenir shop was closed during the time I took to go to the cashpoint as advised by staff, as only cash accepted. I found this a bit strange... generally, it would be helpful tohave someone there to answer questions to confused tourists ... :))
Laurent Kaestli (12 months ago)
Went there before Xmas to see it for the 1st time. The organist and choir were rehearsing, so it was magical. And for the first time half of the benchs are placed so that you see both the choir and the mass. Very nice moment
Nitin Binawara (13 months ago)
Beautiful architecture and very peaceful place.
Christopher Lee (14 months ago)
Quiet, style and absolutely stunning smacked right in the city center. Can offer your prayers + candle for 1 euro
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