Malta - St John's CO-Cathedral

Berlin - Berlin Cathedral/Berliner Dom

The Cathedral's actual construction began in 1894 and was preceded by a long, complicated planning phase with a number of architects. Julius Carl Raschdorff was awarded the commission. To begin this project, the design remodeled in 1820 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel had to be removed. The cathedral was consecrated in 1905.

During 1944, The Cathedral sustained damage from bombs as far down as the crypts. Rubuilding didn't really begin in ernest until 1975 and in at this time, the Denkmalskirche or memorial chapel was torn down. The Berlin Cathedral is the largest most impressive protestant church in Berlin.

The chancel at the eastern end of the main nave is breathtaking. It contains rectangular and oval stained glass windows designed by Anton von Werner. The original windows were destroyed in a bomb blast in December 1940 but the colour and charcoal drawings survived along with the remenents of the windows themselves. A company from Paderborn were able to recreate Werner's designs. The stained glass windows depict the centeral elements of Christian faith - the incarnation of the Son of God, the Salvation of Man through sacrifical death, and the Resurrection.

The pulpit stands in the north-eastern niche between the alter and the organ. It was designed by Otto Raschdorff, son of Julius Carl, and was completed in 1907. It is carved from oak, partially gilded and bears the words "The Word of the Lord is for evermore." The work on this pulpit is unbelievable.

The organ in The Berlin Cathedral is the largest organ ever built by the organ makers Wilhelm Sauer in Frankfurt/Oder, taking up the whole loft on the north side of the cathedral. The organ was damaged by gunfire in the weeks immediatly before and after the end of World War II and a large number of pipes were stolen and offered for sale on the black market. Restoration was completed in 1993 by the original manufacturers at a cost of 600,000 euros or over $780,748. The organ, or the "Old Lady" as the cathedral workers call it, has 7269 pipes, 113 registers, 4 manuals and 1 pedal.

I have also included a photo of the Nativity. All the figures in the amazing piece appeared life size. The three wisemen were not placed in the nativity itself but were up in the north loft by the organ.

I hope you enjoy the crazy amount of information and the photos that follow. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the Berlin Cathedral, it is well worth your time!

Berlin - The Berlin Cathedral/Berliner Dom - The Predigtkirche

Berlin - Berlin Catherdal/Berliner Dom The Trauf - und Traukirche

The Trauf - und Traukirche, which means Baptistery and Marriage Chapel, leis south of the Predigtkirche and is a self contained house of worship that offers space for 200.

"The Descent of the Holy Spirit" by Carl Begas. It shows Mary, Jesus' mother, kneeling in the center surronded by disciples, some of who are looking up upwards in disbelief and some of who are praying devoutly.

The organist was playing while we were visiting the Chapel. It was beautiful to listen to!

Berlin - Berlin Cathedral/Berliner Dom - Crypt

The crypt in the basement of the Berlin Cathedral - that can be traced as far back as 1536 - is considered one of the mose improtant sepulchers in Europe. The Berlin Cathedral houses 100 toumb and monuments belonging to the Hohenzollern family, a dynasty that influenced the fortunes of Brandenburg-Prussia but also played a significant role on the European stage. Nine Hohenzollerns were Prussin kings, and three were German Kiasers.

Berlin - Brandenburg Tor, Checkpoint Charlie and the Wall

Jaxon goofin' around with the fella stamping our passports.

Corndog anyone?

The wall...........

Berlin - Charlottenburg Palace

On our first full day in Berlin, we spent the morning visiting Charlottenburg Palace. The original palace, named Lietzenburg, was built between 1695 and 1699 about 7.5 kilometers from Berlin. It was commissioned by Electress Sophie Charlotte, second wife of Elector Frederick III, as a rural retreat away from the duties of court in Berlin. In 1701, Frederick declared himself King of Prussia, and the little retreat was expanded to be fit for royalty. Sophia Charlotte died in 1705 and Frederick renamed the palace in her honor.
This was a really pretty property and interesting compared to the other palaces we have seen in Germany. Most of the palaces we have seen so far were in a Baroque Rocco style. This palace had Asian influences everywhere, from the white harpsichord that Sophia Charlotte played to the famous Charlottenburg Porcelain Cabinet - both pictured below. The walls had beautiful fabric wall coverings, huge chandeliers hung in most rooms, and there were amazing murals on most all the ceilings. The detail work was everywhere. There are many gilt covered carvings on the walls and ceilings and even the fireplaces were customeized with Sophia Carolette's initials. It was an interesting day and a lot of fun to see.