FRENCH CATHEDRAL

Description

Essentials about the French Cathedral in brief

Like its opposite twin brother, the German Cathedral, the French Cathedral is not actually a church, but a domed tower. Here, too, the name derives from the French word “dôme” for “dome.” In the cathedral you can visit the Huguenot Museum about the history of the Protestant refugees from France or climb the dome, from where you have a breathtaking view over the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt and the center of Berlin.

The history of the French Cathedral

The French Cathedral owes its name to its construction history. With the Edict of Potsdam in 1685, Elector Frederick William granted Protestants safe refuge in Prussia, which caused many French Protestants (the so-called “Huguenots”) to flee from France to Prussia. Therefore, at the beginning of the 18th century, a church was built for the French Protestant community. The French Cathedral was not added to the French Friedrichstadtkirche (Friedrichstadt Church) until the end of the 18th century, solely for the sake of grandeur and urban planning impact.

The Huguenot Museum and the View Balustrade in the French Cathedral

This splendor can still be marveled at today. For together with the German Cathedral and the Konzerthaus (Concert Hall), the French Cathedral forms the dominant building ensemble of the Gendarmenmarkt, which is considered the most beautiful square in Berlin. Due to its special historical background, the French Cathedral today houses the Huguenot Museum, which tells the story of the Protestant religious refugees from France. In addition, athletic visitors can climb the 284 steps to the observation balustrade at the dome and be rewarded with a magnificent view over the Gendarmenmarkt and the surrounding area.