How the Huguenots came to Berlin as Refugees from France
In the Edict of Potsdam of 1685, the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm offers the persecuted French Huguenots refuge under favorable conditions. The Huguenots are granted freedom of religion, civil rights and economic privileges. Around 20,000 refugees settle in Brandenburg Prussia, around 6,000 of them in Berlin.
The promotion of immigration was initiated in order to stimulate economic development in Brandenburg-Prussia. Among the Huguenots there are numeros well-funded merchants and entrepreneurs as well as highly qualified craftsmen. These give the Berlin manufactories new impetus by introducing highly developed, previously unknown production processes. The Huguenot influence had a particularly positive effect on textile production. Many refugees move to Dorotheenstadt where the French colony is created with its own administration, court, school and welfare facilities.
The Hueguenot Museum in the French Cathedral at Gendarmenmarkt
Since opening in 1935, the Hugenot Museum has had an eventful history. Not only has the tower building been completely renovated, but the permanent exhibition has also been completely modernized. With an enlarged exhibition space, the Huguenot Museum Berlin now also offers space for special exhibitions.
Permanent Exhibition
The permanent exhibition rewrites large parts of Huguenot history in statehood, art, science and family life for Berlin and Brandenburg. The tower building has been renovated and the permanent exhibition has been completely. With an enlarged exhibition space, the Huguenot Museum Berlin now also offers space for special exhibitions.
Current Special Exhibition
Friday, November 29, 2024 – March 8, 2025
This year Emilie Fontane, wife and companion of the famous writer Theodor Fontane, is celebrating her 200th birthday. On this occasion, the Huguenot Museum is showing the special exhibition “Emilie200”, an exhibition developed by the Theodor Fontane Archive in Potsdam and the Theodor Fontane Society, now also in Berlin.
Before visiting the Hugenottenmuseum
Address: Französischer Dom, Gendarmenmarkt 5, 10117 Berlin
Telephone Number: +49 30 2291760
Website: www.hugenottenmuseum-berlin.de
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on Mondays1
Public Transport:
- U-Bahn Line U2 (Hausvogteiplatz or Stadtmitte stations)
- U-Bahn Line U6 (Unter den Linden or Stadtmitte stations)
- U-Bahn Line U5 (Unter den Linden station)
Ticket Service:
Tickets can be purchased online via the museum’s website or at the ticket counter on-site. Prices are €6 for adults and €4 for reduced tickets (children, students, and seniors)
(As of Dec 2024)
For more information:
https://hugenottenmuseum-berlin.de
Read Historian Sean Stewart’s article about Berlin and the Huguenots:
https://citybreak.berlin/exploring-the-legacy-of-the-huguenots-in-berlin/
