The cathedral of Berlin took some devastating hits in the British serial bombardments of Berlin in 1940, but it was restored to some of its former glory in the postwar decades, reopening in 1993. Unlike many European capitals where the cathedral is among the top two or three attractions, you can safely miss Berlin's Dom without feeling cultural deprivation. That said, the best way for an overview of this 19th-century cathedral is from the Dome Gallery, reached after climbing 270 steps. From here, you get a good glimpse of the Dom's ceiling and the rest of its much-restored interior. The reconstruction of this cathedral into its classic form was completed in 1822. Its most notable features include a wall altar with the 12 Apostles by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and the magnificent Sauer organ containing 7,000 pipes.
The stained-glass windows are especially stunning, depicting such scenes as the Resurrection, as symbolized by an angel holding a palm branch. The tombstones of Prussian royals are displayed in the crypt, the most impressive tombs being those of Frederick I and his queen, Sophie Charlotte. Tip: The best time to visit is for one of the organ concerts, conducted year-round, usually on Saturday at 6pm. An announcement is printed within the church listing hours of all ecclesiastical and musical events.
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