Berliner Dom Cathedral is one of the more dramatic Berlin landmarks. It attractively backs onto the River Spree and has a pleasant grass area in front.

It was built between 1747 and 1750 but the present neo-Baroque structure is the work of Julius Raschdorff and dates from 1894 to 1905.

They earlier cathedral was knocked down on the orders of Emperor Willem II. He instructed that the new building was to have a larger dome as a Protestant counter-weight to the Roman catholic St Peter's Basilica in Rome.

It suffered severe bomb damage during the World War II. It has been restored to a simplified form from the original design. I normally do not like going into cathedrals but this one was a breath of fresh air compared to many on the major city cathedrals you find throughout northern Europe. The Dom can be visited daily. Look out for the statue of Luther.

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