Erected in 1873, Zionskirche has a fascinating history of protest. In the 1930s, the church was under the leadership of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, legendary pastor, theologian, … and avid participant in the German Resistance. His perpetual anti-Nazi rallies sent him to a concentration camp, where he was killed shortly before the war's end. In keeping with his legacy, in 1986 oppositional groups held meetings in the church. The following year, the (then) West Berlin punk band Element of Crime performed there. The audience was attacked by skinheads as the volkspolizei watched without intervention. To this day the church hosts punk concerts and classical music. [link]

This church no longer stands. The photograph you see here shows it being blown up in 1985, since the GDR considered it a risk to the Wall's security. Erected in 1895, the … church supported a congregation of 20,000. After World War II, the surviving structure served as a house of prayer until 1961, despite the fact that it stood exactly on the border between the French and Soviet sectors. For the next 20 years, the steeple was used as a machine-gun turret for the border patrol, until it was finally destroyed. What stands today is a modish wooden shack of a chapel. Noontime Tuesdays through Fridays, a memorial service is held here for the victims of the Wall. During each service, a letter written by someone shot down while trying to flee the country is read aloud. [link]

In the late 19th century, St. Thomas was one of the largest Protestant churches, supporting 150,000 worshippers. Like St. Michael, its proximity to the Wall cut its … congregation down severely, and today it serves around 1,800 members. The church's surroundings are also notable. The Wagon Castle, for instance (a.k.a. trailer park grounds) is one of the last communities of its kind. The punk residents describe their home turf as being "against the system" while others call it imitating poverty. [link]

There is general consensus among Berliners about this: It's a damn shame this Italian-style church was never properly restored. Imagine a ten-year endeavor in the late … 19th century resulting in a church with touches of neoclassical elegance which overlooked a serene pond. Had the Catholic community not protested, the pond would have become a public swimming pool. But its worries soon grew worse. The church's location at the sector border led to the congregation's division. West Berlin Catholics were forced to find a new church. Now, a roofless community center stands sheepishly in place of what was once a magnificent house of worship. [link]

This late 18th century cathedral, built for the growing Catholic community, is part of the so-called Frederic's Forum, an ensemble of palaces and palazzos, including the … Opera House, Humboldt University, the Crown Prince palace, and the German Historical Museum. In 1930, after the creation of the Diocese of Berlin, St. Hedwigs changed from church to cathedral, receiving status of Basilica Minor. Like most churches during World War II's bombing campaign, St. Hedwigs was damaged. During reconstruction the cupola was redesigned, but the interior has remained unchanged since the sterile renovation of the 1950s. [link]

The area in which this church stands was severely bombed during World War II. Seventy houses survived, but the former community church burned down. Luckily for the … church, its Hansaviertel neighborhood became the core district for the 1957 International Construction Fair (Internationale Bauaustellung), from which the church was rebuilt. Its airy tower, with some of the original bells intact, and floodlight effect, make way for an altogether divine experience. [link]

As Berlin began expanding in the late 19th century, each district was afforded a community church. After two years of development, Gethsemanekirche was erected in 1893 … for what was then the working class -- and what is now the grunge-trendy community of Helmholtzplatz and Falkplatz. During the reign of the GDR regime, it served as a kind of base for the peaceful opposition party. Historical significance was gained when, on the 40th anniversary of the GDR, the volkspolizei (people's police) raided a silent protest, and many protesters were arrested and detained for several weeks. [link]

This lovely late 19th century church was in service for barely 50 years before meeting destruction in November of 1943. Renovation of the five-steeple church that once … towered over the mellow-eyed Breitscheidplatz didn't begin until 15 years after the end of World War II, when a rich blue and scarlet glass mosaic tower was built in a kind of Russian Orthodox tradition. Presently, the neighboring shabby warehouses command more presence than this short-lived church. [link]

The compelling stone-green and gold cupola of the Berliner Dome is visible for miles. That's not surprising, as it sits on top of one of the largest Protestant churches … in Europe. Some considered it the Protestant counterweight to the church of St. Peter in Rome -- it has an immense history as well as size. For a €5 entry fee, you can immerse yourself in its splendor. The church consists of prayer, wedding, and baptismal chapels. Beneath the prayer chapel is a crypt housing the remains of the royal Hohenzollern family. For those interested in attending mass, which we highly recommend, services are held daily. And there's no cover! [link]

In the late 19th century, St. Thomas was one of the largest Protestant churches, supporting 150,000 worshippers. Like St. Michael, its proximity to the Wall cut its … congregation down severely, and today it serves around 1,800 members. The church's surroundings are also notable. The Wagon Castle, for instance (a.k.a. trailer park grounds) is one of the last communities of its kind. The punk residents describe their home turf as being "against the system" while others call it imitating poverty. [link]