Crypt

The Hohenzollern Crypt in the Cathedral of Berlin is of tremendous historical and cultural significance. It contains 94 entombments from the end of the 16th century until the beginning of the 20th century. Together with the stately sarcophagi and burial monuments in the sermon church, these document five hundred years of Brandenburg-Prussian burial culture.

All artistic styles since the waning late-Gothic are reflected in these stone, metal, and wood burial monuments and coffins, some of which are simple, some richly decorated. Particularly rare are the wooden coffins covered with textiles such as velvet and brocade.
During World War II, the Hohenzollern Crypt was damaged by the collapse of the main dome, which was struck by a bomb, and by the ensuing fire. Some coffins were almost completely destroyed.

The restored crypt area was ceremonially opened on November 20th, 1999. Since then, it has been possible for a broad audience to visit one of the most significant royal burial places in Europe.
However, the restoration of the coffins is not yet complete, and maintenance of the restored burial monuments requires a great deal of time, knowledge, and money.