Sophienkirche
In addition to Sunday services, weddings, baptisms, and numerous community activities, Sophienkirche (St. Sophia's Church) is a popular concert venue due to its clear, non-reverberant acoustics and wonderful Schuke organ. Concerts are often recorded and broadcast here, including by Deutschlandfunk Kultur and rbb. As Berlin's only existing Baroque church, it is also a popular location for film shoots.
History of the St. Sophia's Church
Built in 1712/13, St. Sophia's Church bears the name of its founder, Queen Sophie Luise. The church, originally a simple, spacious hall building, underwent several renovations in the 19th century that still characterize its interior today: a banquet hall with neo-baroque decorations, in which older furnishings from the baroque period of construction have been preserved, including the pulpit, organ facade, baptismal font, and several grave monuments.
The urban location on the old churchyard, surrounded by tall trees, is particularly appealing—a quiet zone in the heart of the densely built-up Spandau suburb. The graves of Karl Friedrich Zelter and Leopold von Ranke are located here.
Profile
Cultural Space
The following events can be held at Sophienkirche: concerts by professional ensembles, organ, choir, and orchestra concerts, with a focus on new music, early music, and interdisciplinary projects. Applications for the public cultural program, which is curated by the artistic director, should be sent by email to kultur@elisabeth.berlin. The criteria for accepting cultural projects can be found here.
Church and Spiritual Services
Sophienkirche belongs to the Protestant parish of Weinberg. Services, devotions, baptisms, weddings, and parish events are held there regularly.
Event Space
In consultation with the parish council, smaller events can be held in the annex of Sophienkirche, as well as receptions after concerts, sound recordings, film and television shoots, and photo shoots. We do not consider requests for private celebrations.
Key Figures Sophienkirche
Location & Accessibility
Location & Accessibility
Große Hamburger Str. 29/30, 10115 Berlin-Mitte. Very centrally located, close to Hackescher Markt, set back slightly from the street, surrounded by an old church park.
Transport connections: S-Hackescher Markt, S-Oranienburger Str., U-Weinmeisterstr., tram M1, M4, M5, M6, N5, N8, hardly any parking available.
Premises and Capacities
Premises and Capacities
Total capacity: approx. 900 people.
Church interior (500 sqm), 470 in pews, additional seating for 80 people at the rear.
Two side galleries and one organ loft (approx. 250 sqm), 300-370 people (obstructed view from the 2nd row onwards) large two-part extension (47 sqm + 35 sqm) with kitchenette, approx. 65 + 45 people in row seating, around 100-150 standing reception.
Two (internal) sacristies in the chancel, four stairwells, vestibule, two toilets, wheelchair ramp, additional rooms for artists' dressing rooms or similar available in the neighboring building. A 15 sqm vestibule can be used for the box office.
Sophienkirchhof, area around the annex can be used for receptions (with restrictions as it is a public, listed park).
Facilities / Technical Equipment / Catering
Facilities / Technical Equipment / Catering
Heating, high-voltage power connections, approx. 20 old wooden chairs, approx. 50 new stackable chairs, several tables, permanently installed sound system, two stage spotlights, 8 stage platforms. Additional technical equipment and catering available on request.
Notes
Notes
Legal noise protection regulations must be observed after 10 p.m. Driving and deliveries are prohibited on the entire premises between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Smoking is prohibited in all rooms.
Accessibility
Accessibility
Ground-level toilets and a ramp for people with disabilities.
Weitere Infos
All important information, such as floor plans, seating plans, inventory, electrical plans, and more, can be downloaded as PDF files in the corresponding section:
www.elisabeth.berlin/de/media/downloads
Pictures:
www.flickr.com/photos/130386592@N04/albums
360° View Villa Elisabeth:
tours.nexpics.com/visitberlin/