Self-Guided Walking Tour of Medieval Berlin – Steve's Experience Berlin Tours

Although Berlin is a young city by European standards, did you know that as a settlement it dates back to at least the 12th century?

And while most of it was destroyed in World War II, a surprising amount still survives—if you know where to look.

Here are 10 locations, all within a 15-minute walk from Alexanderplatz, where you can find medieval Berlin.

These locations and several more are all included in my Medieval Berlin audio tour, which can be found in my Berlin travel app.

The Medieval City Wall

Just a short walk from Alexanderplatz are rare surviving sections of Berlin’s Stadtmauer, the city wall built in the 13th century.

It reached about 8 meters, or 25 feet, in height and was just under a meter thick, consisting of bricks and stones.

These are the ruins of the Franziskaner Klosterkirche, dating back to around 1250.

Once a Franciscan monastery—later even a school attended by Otto von Bismarck.

It was heavily damaged in World War II.

Today, it’s an open-air historic site with sculptures and a peaceful atmosphere.

And just beyond the Kloster Church is the elevated Stadtbahn line.

If you ride the S-Bahn between Hackescher Markt and Jannowitzbrücke, you’re actually following the old path of the medieval wall and moat system.

The route was a cost-effective repurposing to its current use for public transport.

This was Berlin’s original marketplace. Right now, it’s an active redevelopment site.

Recent archeological digs have uncovered medieval roads, homes, and everyday items.

Many of the finds will be visible under glass when the construction is finished.

Next to the Molkenmarkt is Berlin’s medieval Jewish quarter.

It’s one of the earliest signs of a Jewish community here—dating back to the city’s very beginnings.

It too will be included in future displays.

This is Berlin’s oldest neighborhood with one of the city’s oldest churches.

What you see today is a careful East German reconstruction made for the city’s 750th birthday.

But it still gives you the closest feel for what medieval Berlin looked like, with tight alleyways, cobblestone streets, and traditional restaurants.

This is Museum Petriplatz, built over the remains of Berlin’s oldest church.

Archaeologists uncovered layers of history here, going back to the 12th century.

Inside, there’s an ossuary wall, where remains of Berliners dating back to the 12th century have been carefully preserved.

The reconstructed Berlin Palace is home to the Humboldt Forum.

Inside, head to the Palace Cellar for a free exhibit showcasing medieval and later artifacts found on-site.

You’ll see original foundations, everyday objects, and traces of centuries of Berlin’s history—all in one place.

This is one of Berlin’s oldest active churches, with its foundations dating to the city’s founding.

Inside, you’ll find a massive 15th-century “Dance of Death” fresco—a reminder that in medieval Berlin, life was… well, plagued with hardships.

This small chapel dates to around 1300 and is one of the best-preserved medieval buildings in Berlin.

Today it’s a part of Humboldt University and not generally open to the public.

And that’s it for this quick summary.

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Be sure to check out the full GPS-led audio tour in my app.