St. Hedwig's Cathedral

On lively Bebelplatz in Berlin stands the impressive St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. Its history goes back to 1747, when Frederick II of Prussia initiated construction. He commissioned architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, also known for designing Charlottenburg and Sanssouci palaces. Frederick himself contributed only 5,000 thalers, so the Catholic community financed most of the project.

Construction began in 1747 and was completed in 1773. The cathedral was dedicated to St. Hedwig of Andechs, patron saint of Silesia. In 1927, it received the honorary title of Basilica minor, and in 1930, it became the bishop’s church of the newly established Archdiocese of Berlin. World War II brought devastation: in March 1943, a fire destroyed much of the cathedral.

Reconstruction, led by architect Hans Schwippert, took place between 1952 and 1963, blending Rococo style with modern elements. In 2013, a major new renovation began, carried out by the firm Sichau & Walter from Fulda, ensuring structural stability while honoring the cathedral’s historic character.