Franzosischer Dom (French Cathedral), Berlin

Facing its German counterpart, the Deutscher Dom, across the Gendarmes' Market square, the French Cathedral has a historical significance tied to the French Huguenot community. After being expelled from France following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, these Huguenots sought refuge in Protestant Berlin. In fact, the primary structure of the church, completed in 1705, was designed based on the Huguenot church in Charenton, France, which had been destroyed in 1688.

The entrance, facing Charlottenstrasse, leads to a straightforward interior characterized by a rectangular nave with semicircular sections on both sides. An important feature is the late Baroque organ dating back to 1754. The church's most prominent architectural element is a massive cylindrical tower encircled by Corinthian porticoes at its base. This tower was added approximately 80 years after the church's initial construction and now houses the Huguenot Museum, which provides insight into the history of the Huguenots in France and Brandenburg.

Huguenots were well-educated and highly skilled individuals who played a vital role in Berlin's development as a hub of science, craftsmanship, and commerce. Their legacy can still be seen today in many words incorporated into the Berlin dialect, stemming from the French language they brought with them.