Gendarmenmarkt Berlin: Konzerthaus, German Cathedral and French Cathedral

Gendarmenmarkt, in the Mitte district, is often called Berlin's most beautiful square: Karl Friedrich Schinkel's Konzerthaus stands between two near-twin churches, the Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) to the north and the Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) to the south. The square is open to all, day and night. After two years of works it reopened on 13 March 2025: 14,000 m² repaved, step-free for wheelchair users, with buried utility networks and an underground tank that collects rainwater. Laid out at the end of the 17th century in the Friedrichstadt district, the square takes its name from the Gens d'armes regiment, which kept its stables here in the 18th century. Allow 30 minutes for the square, two hours with the exhibition in the Deutscher Dom and the climb up the tower of the Französischer Dom.

Highlights

The Konzerthaus

Schinkel's royal theatre (Schauspielhaus), completed in 1821 and destroyed in the war, was rebuilt and reopened in 1984 as a concert hall; it is the home of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin. The Friedrich Schiller monument stands in front of its grand staircase. A guided tour in German takes place on Saturday at 1pm (about 75 minutes, €3), and in English on some Saturdays at 1:05pm, including 31 October and 28 November 2026.

The renovated square

The works, begun in October 2022, cost 21 million euros. The paving follows the historic pattern, the Gilly benches and the candelabra have been restored, new Schinkel lanterns light the dark corners, and a 480 m³ tank filters rainwater. The pavement of Charlottenstraße, on the Konzerthaus side, has been widened from 5 to 8 metres.

The Deutscher Dom and its free exhibition

The southern church, completed in 1708 and crowned with its domed tower at the end of the 18th century, houses the Bundestag's historical exhibition "Wege – Irrwege – Umwege" (Paths, Wrong Turns, Detours), devoted to the history of parliamentary democracy in Germany. Admission is free, Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm (until 7pm from May to September), and free guided tours are offered.

The Französischer Dom and its tower

The northern church was built in the early 18th century for the Huguenot community, refugees from France; the Huguenot Museum on the ground floor is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 4:30pm. The viewing platform, 40 m up, is reached by stairs (no wheelchair access): ticket €8, €10 with an audio guide, last climb 30 minutes before closing. Opening hours follow the season and the time of sunset.

The Christmas market

Every winter the WeihnachtsZauber fills the square from late November to 31 December, with stalls, a craft tent and a stage; adults pay an entrance fee. Find the dates and the other markets in our guide to [Berlin's Christmas markets](/fr/attractions/marches-de-noel-berlin).

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