Neue Kirche

Neue Kirche, also called the German Church, stands on Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt beside the French Cathedral and Konzerthaus Berlin. Inside, a free exhibition traces the history of German democracy and the country’s parliamentary life, an unexpected stop for visitors drawn by the square’s architecture. Staff can explain the displays in English, though most written information is in German. You can also climb the stairs for a view over the square; a fence partly obstructs the panorama. The surrounding streets have cafés and restaurants for a break after your visit.

An exhibition inside the German Church

Neue Kirche is also known as the German Church, or Deutscher Dom. Its interior houses an exhibition about the history of German democracy and parliamentary life. The displays can be a surprise if you arrive expecting only a church interior.

Most of the written material is in German. Staff can provide explanations in English, and free English-language tours lasting about 30 minutes are available.

The church on Gendarmenmarkt

The German Church faces the French Cathedral across Gendarmenmarkt, with Konzerthaus Berlin between them. The square dates to the mid-17th century, when it was laid out as a marketplace for the growing city. Frederick the Great later had a strong influence on its development. A statue of the German poet and writer Friedrich Schiller stands at the centre.

Walk to the front of the church for a view across the square and its three principal buildings. Cafés and restaurants line nearby streets, making it easy to add a meal or coffee to a visit.