The Franciscan monastery church (Franziskaner-Klosterkirche), is one of the oldest and most important examples of brick Gothic architecture in Berlin. Located on Klosterstrasse in the Mitte district, the building dates back to around 1250 and is today a historical monument and cultural space.
The Franciscan Church was built as part of the monastery of the Grey Friars order. Its existence was first mentioned in 1249, making it one of the oldest buildings in Berlin. It is assumed that there was originally a simple stone hall church on this site, elements of which survive in the ruins of the outer walls of the present north nave. Construction of the early Gothic brick church probably began in the second half of the 13th century.
The monastery buildings in 1852. Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Franziskaner-Klosterkirche was designed as a three-nave basilica with cross vaults and perfect proportions. It was distinguished by high walls with narrow windows, which created a unique spatial effect. The choir, on the other hand, richly decorated with frescoes, played a key role in the liturgy and served as a model for later buildings erected by Franciscans in the region.
The Franciscan church stood out from other Berlin churches both in its structural solutions and its style. The alternating shapes of the pillars in the nave – intertwining polygonal and square pillars – were innovative for the time. The characteristic arches that separated the side aisles from the main nave and the high-set, pointed-arch windows gave the interior elegance and lightness.
With the Reformation in 1539, the Franciscan monastery was abolished and its buildings were converted into secular institutions. The church served a variety of functions, from a printing shop to a secondary school where figures such as Otto von Bismarck and Karl Friedrich Schinkel were educated. A number of renovations were undertaken in the 19th century, including the demolition of the gable tower and the construction of new west towers. In turn, the original appearance of the interior was restored in the 1930s.
View of the chancel in 1896 and today. Source: Berlin und seine Bauten, Verlag Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn, 1896 and Josef Streichholz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Franziskaner-Klosterkirche was largely destroyed by an Allied air raid on 3 April 1945. Its vaults, parts of the walls and towers collapsed, and the recently restored interior virtually ceased to exist. After the war, the ruined church was secured, leaving it as a permanent ruin that still serves as a reminder of Berlin’s turbulent history and the tragedy that is war. The monastery buildings surrounding the church were demolished and the area was turned into a park. Since the 1980s, the ruins have served as a venue for exhibitions and cultural events. Thanks to the restoration carried out in 2003-2004, the site has regained its structural stability.
The entrance portal in 1927 and 2021. Photo by Berit Wallenberg, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons and Matthias Süßen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
As part of the planned redevelopment of Molkenmarkt, the area adjacent to the ruins, the Franziskaner-Klosterkirche is to be integrated into the new architectural layout of the district. The project also involves the reconstruction of the historic arcades that once connected the building to neighbouring buildings.
Franziskaner-Klosterkirche in 1890 and 2022 Source: Landesdenkmalamt Berlin and Google Maps
The ruins of the Franciscan monastery church are not only a testament to Gothic mastery, but also a symbol of Berlin’s centuries-long transformation. Their current state is a reminder of the grandeur of the former architecture and its dramatic fate during the war, while still serving Berliners as a platform for contemporary art and culture.
Source: klosterruine.berlin, berlin.de
Also read: Architecture | History | Sacred architecture | Berlin | Germany
