Berlin KAISER WILHELM GEDÄCHTNISKIRCHE (Memorial Church)
One of Berlin’s prominent attractions, a damaged tower that signifies the determination of the Berliners to renovate the city after it was mutilated in the war, The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, also called as Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, serves as an endless reminder of the damages that resulted from the war. The church is a figurative structure of an anti-war memorial to peace and resolution in West Berlin. Also labeled as the “hollow tooth”, the west Tower has continued to exist as part of the ruin after the allied bombings, which took place all throughout the Second World War.
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was erected between the years 1891 to 1895 to honor the first German Emperor named Kaiser Wilhelm I, 1861-1888. The person who created the structure is Architect Franz Schwechten. Its design is in a neo-romanesque edifice. For a common protestant church, the building was extraordinarily lavish as it was adorned with a large mosaic that illustrates Prussia’s history. During the Second World War, the building was damaged and was entirely devastated due to Allied air raids.
The Gedenkhalle or Memorial Hall, located inside the remaining west tower of the damaged church, includes records of the church’s history, original items, as well as photographic displays of the church and its nearby places before and after the war. Other interesting objects that could be seen are liturgical items, mosaic decorations, and reliefs from the past.
In the year 1956, the damaged church was rebuilt pursuing the project of Egon Einermann. His winning project suggests a creation of a nearby contemporary church, which consists of an octagonal hall and a bell tower. The construction was done between the years 1957 to 1963. Apparently, the modern hall, which has an octagon shape, as well as the six-sided tower, was not appreciated by everybody. The blue gleaming light that gives a two-metre space on the interior and exterior walls emits a blue shade to the hall’s inner and outer area. Approximately 20,000 panes of stained glass composed the church’s contemporary walls.
The Church’s interior is made up of a baptismal lettering in aluminum, an organ with more than 5000 pipes, a martyr’s memorial paying tribute to the Protestant martyrs during the Nazi period, Carrara marble pebbles, a hanging statue of Christ made of brass, the Cross of Nails from Coventry, and the cross which comes from the Russian Orthodox Church. This is a constant reminder to keep in memory the subject of resolution. In addition to that, Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia invented a chime, which could be located in the old tower and can be heard hourly.
The Save the Tower Campaign Foundation is looking forward to raise three million Euros for the much needed restoration of the structure. The steeple and stone frontage badly needs to be fortified. Meanwhile, the city of Berlin was able to allot 1.5 million Euros for the said project.
The hallway and the Chapel are utilized by the parish for events like christenings, weddings, as well as children and family services. Additionally, the shop sells mementos, guides and postcards. The neighboring Breitscheidplatz is a perfect venue for people to sit around and enjoy a cup of coffee in the open-air Cafes. For people who love to shop, a famous shopping and leisure centre called the Europa Centre is also accessible.