Marienkirche (Berlin-Mitte)

The Protestant Marienkirche stands in central Berlin in the Park am Fernsehturm, within sight of Alexanderplatz. First mentioned in 1292, it is the oldest still-active parish church in Berlin and one of an original six medieval churches in the twin city of Berlin-Coelln. Its late-Gothic brick vaults and the Baroque spire by Carl Gotthard Langhans (1789) form the recognisable profile. Famous for its late-medieval Totentanz (Dance of Death) fresco of 1469, a 22-metre cycle in the tower hall showing Death dancing with every estate and age. Today the preaching church of the EKBO bishop. A quiet counterpoint to the neighbouring TV tower and the GDR-era housing axis. Free entry.