Gefängniskirche Tegel, Prison church in Tegel district, Berlin, Germany
The Gefaengniskirche Tegel is a neo-Gothic church within Tegel Prison featuring two towers and red-brick walls. Inside, wooden pews rise like theater seating toward the altar, with room for several hundred people.
The building was constructed in 1898 to serve as a church for Protestant inmates within the prison. The towers originally served a practical purpose by storing water for the entire prison complex.
The church welcomes inmates of different faiths and provides a space for quiet reflection apart from daily prison routines. It serves as a place where people practice various religions and connect with spiritual meaning.
The building sits within the prison grounds and is only partially visible from the outside. Authorized visitors can access the interior, but should expect restricted entry given the secure facility setting.
A 2023 restoration uncovered original wall paintings from 1904 featuring colored crosses and floral designs with biblical text. These hidden artworks offer insight into how the church was decorated when it first opened.
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