Description

Essentials about the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in brief

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (usually just called “Memorial Church” for short) is probably the most famous landmark in former West Berlin. Today it is not only a church, but first and foremost a memorial against war and destruction and for peace and reconciliation. And last but not least, it is also a quiet place of contemplation in the midst of the hubbub of the metropolis on Kurfürstendamm.

The history of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

In honor of Wilhelm I, the first German emperor, Wilhelm II had a church built in the neo-Romantic style at the end of the 19th century. With five towers and a huge bell ringing, the church building was appropriately monumental for the taste of the time and especially of the emperor. During bombing raids in 1943, the church was badly destroyed, the top of the main tower broke off and the roof truss collapsed. After the end of the war, the Allies had a hard time rebuilding it, as the church symbolized Germany’s once exaggerated national pride. In the post-war period, the ruins were therefore left to decay for the time being. It was not until 1956 that demolition of the choir, which was in danger of collapsing, began. However, when a complete demolition of the church was envisaged, massive protests arose among the population.

The architecture of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

As a compromise, the architect Egon Eiermann integrated the ruin into a new church building that was constructed in the early 1960s. Its construction consists of honeycomb-shaped concrete elements in which glass blocks are embedded. These create an intense blue light inside the octagonal nave and give rise to a meditative calm. Today, the memorial hall in the old tower is a place of remembrance against war and a sign of reconciliation. Here also stands the famous Coventry Cross of Nails. The nails came from a charred roof beam of Coventry Cathedral, which was almost completely destroyed in a German bombing raid in 1940. The Coventry Crosses of Nails, which also stand in other cities that were heavily destroyed in World War II, are a special symbol of reconciliation.

Website

gedaechtniskirche-berlin.de

Opening hours

Admission fees

Free. During guided tours, however, donations for the preservation of the church are requested.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

U1 and U9: Stop Kurfürstendamm

Bus lines 100 and 200: Stop Breitscheidplatz

Bus lines M19, M29, M46, N1, N2, N3 and N26: Stop Europa-Center

By car:

The nearest parking garages are Parkhaus Los-Angeles-Platz and Parkgarage Bikini Berlin.