Brandenburg Cathedral

Brandenburg Cathedral (Dom St. Peter und Paul) stands on its own island between the Havel River and Beetzsee lake in the city of Brandenburg an der Havel. It is one of the oldest brick cathedrals in northern Germany and the mother church of the Mark Brandenburg region. Admission to the cathedral is free, and the adjoining museum shows a rare collection of medieval vestments. It makes an easy half-day trip from Berlin or Potsdam.

Getting there

Brandenburg an der Havel is west of Berlin and Potsdam; check Deutsche Bahn for current regional connections. The Domstift's address is Burghof 10, on the cathedral island. The official site has an "Anfahrt" page with the latest directions.

Why it matters

King Otto I founded the diocese of Brandenburg in 948. The foundation stone of today's cathedral was laid in 1165, and the building is the first church in the Mark Brandenburg built entirely in exposed brick. Highlights include a Bohemian altar from around 1375, the Wagner organ of 1723 to 1725 and the Brandenburg Hunger Cloth, an embroidery from around 1290. The Domstift archive is the oldest east of the Elbe and contains the first documentary mention of Berlin, from 1244.

What to see

• The crypt with painted vaults
• Bohemian altar and Lehnin altar of 1518
• The Wagner organ, nearly original
• The cathedral museum, with about 120 medieval vestments in one of Europe's largest textile collections from before the Reformation

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

From April to October the cathedral is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. From November to March it is open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays and holidays noon to 3 p.m. It is closed December 24 to 26 and December 31 to January 1. Cathedral admission is free; donations are welcome. The museum, open May to October, costs EUR 5 (reduced EUR 3, family EUR 15) and is free on the first Sunday of each month.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you like medieval art, brick architecture or a quiet historic town away from the big crowds. Allow about one hour for the cathedral and up to two hours with the museum. Services and events can limit access.

Practical tips

The cathedral and museum are only partly accessible; wheelchair users should announce their visit by email. English-language tours are not listed on the website, so ask the museum. Currency is the euro.