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# Tourism with a spiritual dimension
- URL: https://violet-wood.ghost.io/tourism-with-a-spiritual-dimension/
- Published: 2026-08-16T16:31:56.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-16T16:31:56.000Z
- Author: Violet Wood
- Tags: Christianity, Travel

On one day in Berlin in May 2024, I walked 10 miles on a circuit from west to east and back again. I took in a number of sights I wanted to see and experienced others I did not expect. Amid all this, the spiritual ran like a thread.

First stop, the Brandenburg Gate in Pariser Platz. Many football fans and tourists were arranging photographs against this iconic backdrop at the western end of Unter den Linden. But one small group of people wasn't there for sightseeing. They were dancing and waving flags with a combination of symbols I had not seen before. In conversation I discovered that they regarded themselves as modern-day Jewish followers of Jesus. They were not an organised group and had no particular group name. But they said they were there every Saturday to witness.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/6f/b56fc027-9372-4393-bd77-4704ea55b92b/content/images/2026/08/TWASD-2---25-May-2024.jpeg)

Berlin Cathedral is the largest Protestant church in Germany and hosts the dynastic tomb of the Hohenzollerns, hereditary German emperors. This is the ultimate civic church. It's certainly beautiful on the outside. I wanted to go inside, but they charge for admission. I can see why, but for me, a church is not a tourist destination.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/6f/b56fc027-9372-4393-bd77-4704ea55b92b/content/images/2026/08/TWASD-3-----25-May-2024.jpeg)

The Marienkirche stands in stark contrast. Dating from the 13th century, and originally a Gothic church hall, this is the oldest parish church in Berlin still used for services. Admission is free. A service in English is held at 6.00pm on Sundays.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/6f/b56fc027-9372-4393-bd77-4704ea55b92b/content/images/2026/08/TWASD-6---25-May-2024.jpeg)

And now for something completely different… Further east in Alexanderplatz, here was a group of dancing Christians with a band (to the right, not pictured), providing an American-style song accompaniment. Did anyone know that it was Global Outreach Day 2024? Organised by the World Evangelical Alliance from New York. I really liked their moves.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b5/6f/b56fc027-9372-4393-bd77-4704ea55b92b/content/images/2026/08/TWASD-8---25-May-2024.jpeg)

For me though, the best spiritual moment of the day came at the last and most eastern point. This was the St Marien and St Nikolai Friedhof cemetery on the Prenzlauer Allee. Many distinguished Berlin residents are buried here, but no one of international renown. The cemetery was closed for burials between 1970 and 1995 and became very overgrown with lush vegetation. That has been mostly cut back since then but was allowed to remain in some areas. I found this to be a very quiet and peaceful place. It feels as though the souls of the faithful departed are calling us towards our heavenly kingdom.