The twin spires
A landmark of old Berlin's skyline.
A.Savin — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Flocci Nivis — CC BY 4.0 · Flocci Nivis — CC BY 4.0 · ArildV — CC BY-SA 4.0
St Nicholas' is the oldest building in Berlin: its stone foundations date to around 1230, to the origin of the city itself — Berlin was born as twin towns around this church and another across the river. Its twin pointed spires are a landmark of the old centre's skyline. It is today a museum rather than an active church. Destroyed in a 1944 raid, it stayed a ruin into the 1980s, when the East German government rebuilt it as part of the Nikolaiviertel project — a complete recreation of Berlin's old quarter to mark the city's 750th anniversary in 1987. The district around the church is newly built in a historic manner, and is wholly made rather than original. The exhibition inside tells Berlin's early history through excavations, gravestones and models, and it holds the tomb of the writer Baron von Knigge. The acoustics are excellent, so it hosts regular classical concerts, which are the best way to actually experience the space.
A landmark of old Berlin's skyline.
Excavations and stones from the city's start.
Nikolaikirchplatz, 10178 Berlin
NikolaiviertelThe Nikolaiviertel is the oldest spot in Berlin: the city began here in the thir1 minute walk4.7
Ephraim PalaceThe Ephraim-Palais is a rococo town house with an elegant curved facade, built i1 minute walk4.6
Humboldt ForumThe Humboldt Forum is a large building in the middle of Berlin, on Museum Island4 minutes walk4.5
DDR MuseumThe DDR Museum is a small museum on the riverbank opposite the cathedral, explai6 minutes walk4.2
Berlin TV TowerA 368-metre tower at Alexanderplatz, the tallest structure in Germany and a land6 minutes walk4.5No, which surprises many: the whole quarter was destroyed in the war and rebuilt in the 1980s by decision of the East German government for the city's 750th anniversary. Some buildings are careful copies of lost originals; others are concrete blocks behind historic-looking facades. The church alone retains original foundations and fabric.