Dorotheenstadt Cemetery (Dorotheenstadtischer Friedhof)

The basics

Many visitors come to see the graves of the famous people buried here, though there's also a monument to resistance fighters killed by the Nazis and a mass grave of unknown people who died toward the end of World War II. A particular draw is the cemetery’s 20th-century funerary chapel, which houses a light installation by American artist James Turrell. If you want to visit the chapel, you’ll need to book a spot on an evening tour.

Things to know before you go

• The cemetery is a must-visit for those interested in European intellectual history.

• Admission to the cemetery is free, but it costs a small fee to view the James Turrell light installation.

• Guided visits to the installation are available in English and in German (on alternating nights, half an hour before sunset). You can book tickets directly through the cemetery.

How to get there

Dorotheenstadt Cemetery is located at Chausseestrasse, about a 25-minute walk from Brandenburg Gate. If you’re coming from elsewhere in the city, you can take line 6 of the U-Bahn to U Oranienburger Tor station, about a 4-minute walk away. Alternatively, take S1, S2, or S25 to Berlin Nordbahnhof, an 8-minute walk from the cemetery.

When to get there

The cemetery is open daily throughout the year, with shorter hours during the winter and extended hours during the summer, to account for later sunsets. A daytime visit is ideal for those interested in seeing the graves and the cemetery grounds, but if you'd like to see the Turrell installation, you'll need to pre-book a visit for just before sunset.

James Turrell’s light installation

Art fans won't want to miss the chance to experience James Turrell's installation at the Dorotheenstädtischer Cemetery's chapel. You'll see the chapel fill with light and color, evoking Turrell's interpretation of the biblical meaning of light. Interestingly, the source of the light is completely hidden, so that visitors will feel engulfed rather than projected upon.