Catholic cathedral of Santa Eduvigis on Bebelplatz in Berlin
You may know that the Berliner Dom, building that stands out for its great dome, is the protestant cathedral from Berlin. But do you know that in the German capital, and very close to the previous one, you have the Catholic cathedral?
In you Berlin visit, one of the areas where more concentration of monuments you will see is Bebelplazt, in the area known as Forum Fredericianum, almost where the great Unter der Linten Avenue runs alongside the Museum island.
Precisely one of the neoclassical buildings of this monumental area is the catholic cathedral of Berlin.
Known as the Santa Eduvigis Cathedral (St. Edwige), it will be very easy to recognize the building because its design emulates the famous Pantheon Agrippa in Rome.
Catholic cathedral of Santa Eduvigis on Bebelplatz in Berlin
The catholic cathedral building was built in 1773, and became the second of the monuments of the aforementioned Forum Fredericianum area. Located at the bottom of the Bebelplazt square, is dedicated to the patron saint of Silesia and Brandenburg, Santa Eduvigis de Andechs.
With its unequivocal neoclassical style facade, its large dome with a striking green roof, and the characteristic Greek-style circular floor plan, this monument was until the mid-19th century the only Catholic church in Berlin.
In fact, the Prussian king Frederick II the Great, its driver, wanted this church to be the reflection of religious freedom.
Interior of the Catholic cathedral of Santa Eduvigis on Bebelplatz in Berlin
You should know that the Cathedral of Santa Eduvigis in Berlin It became a center of opposition and denunciation of Nazism. In fact, after the sad event of the Night of the broken glass, the canon of the same prayed the next day in memory of the murdered Jews.
Father Lichtenberg, who was his name, was arrested and in 1943 died on the way to the Dachau concentration camp. At present his remains are found in the crypt of the church.
Of course, when you visit the Santa Eduvigis Cathedral, you will see a completely rebuilt building during the period from 1952 to 1963, as it was destroyed during the Second World War.
The new dome has a more reinforced concrete structure than the original, and eight new chapels were incorporated.
Catholic cathedral of Santa Eduvigis on Bebelplatz in Berlin
