Friedrichswerdersche Church

image author: Gisela Pape


The Friedrichswerdersche Church, this dark-red brick building originated in 1824/28, after plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel at the Werderschen Markt. It is one of Berlin's prettiest and architectural most important buildings. With this building Schinkel tried to combine the styles of German classicism with neo gothic.

image author: Gisela Pape


The church burned out during the 2nd World War. Due to the high restoration costs, only the facade was restored true to the original in the years 1982/87 and was opened as a branch of the National Gallery in 1987, on the occasion of Berlin's 750-year anniversary celebrations.

Today, the church is part of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (Foundation Prussian Culture) and serves as a museum for sculptures of the 19th-century.

image author: Gisela Pape


Show piece is the plaster model of the princesses group by Johann Gottfried Schadow; the original is exhibited at the Old National Gallery. This statue is considered a highlight of European classicism.

Crown Princess Luise and her sister Friederike, embracing tightly, in youthful beauty. Queen Luise died at an age of only 34 years.

image author: Gisela Pape


Further, to be seen are works by Christian Daniel Rauch, also the sarcophagus of Queen Luise of Prussia; the original is situated at the, Mausoleum of the Charlottenburg palace park.

image author: Gisela Pape


Along the circulatory wooden gallery you can get information at an exhibition about the life of Karl Friedrich Schinkel and his Berlin buildings.

Statue Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1843-55), created by Christian Friedrich Tieck (1776-1851)