Französischer Dom

By the 1685 Edict of Potsdam, the prince-Elector Frédéric Guillaume promised French immigrants denominational freedom and offered them Brandenburg as their country of exile. The Friedrichstadt Berlin, from which the French Huguenots received a warm welcome, had a French church erected according to the plans of Louis Cayart and Abraham Quesnay. Carl von Gontard designed the cathedral bell from which the current name of the church is taken: 'Französischer Dom'. This was raised over the period 1780-85. The local mass was held every Sunday and national holiday. The cathedral is also made available for exhibitions, concerts and conferences. Organ recitals (Tuesday to Friday at 12.30 pm) are also billed along with organ concerts (every first Thursday of the month at 8 pm) and a musical religious ceremony (every Saturday at 3.30 pm. The 'French Cathedral' is also home to the Huguenot museum (Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12 to 5 pm and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm). The balustrade affords a fine view and can be accessed Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4pm.