Berlin Cathedral's Hohenzollern Crypt reopens after €29.5M restoration
Berlin Cathedral's historic Hohenzollern Crypt has reopened after nearly six years of extensive repairs. The site, one of Europe's largest dynastic burial grounds, holds 91 coffins from a dynasty that ruled for half a millennium. Visitors can now explore the crypt again, though entry comes at a higher cost than before.
The crypt first closed for renovations in 2018 to tackle severe damage from moisture, heat, and mould. High carbon monoxide levels also posed risks, prompting the installation of a modern climate-control and ventilation system. The project cost €29.5 million, with funding split between federal, state, and private sources.
The Hohenzollern family once governed as Electors of Brandenburg, Kings of Prussia, and German Emperors. Their crypt, sealed to new burials for centuries, contains no living descendants of Wilhelm II, the last emperor, who abdicated in 1918. Among the 91 coffins are those of children, a stark reminder of high infant mortality even among nobility.
Access to the crypt was once restricted, requiring special permission until World War I. It only opened to the public in 1999. Today, the cathedral charges €15 for admission—up from €10—now including an audio guide previously priced at an extra €5.
The current Berlin Cathedral itself was completed in 1905, funded by grants from the Prussian House of Representatives and Wilhelm II's personal wealth. The crypt's reopening places it alongside other grand European burial sites, such as Vienna's Capuchin Crypt and El Escorial near Madrid.
The restored crypt now welcomes visitors with improved conditions and a steeper entry fee. The €29.5 million renovation ensures the preservation of a key historical site, though some costs were not fully covered by public funds. The Hohenzollern legacy, spanning five centuries, remains accessible to the public once more.
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