DK Travel : Berlin : Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche

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One of the most haunting symbols of Berlin, the ruins of the memorial church in the heart of the city's West End, have been irreverently nicknamed "the hollow tooth". The Neo-Romanesque church was given the name of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in 1895, to honour Wilhelm I. Following damage by severe bombing raids in 1943, the ruins of the tower were left standing as a memorial. Next to it, Egon Eiermann erected a new church in 1957-63. Religious services are now conducted here.
For more on Berlin churches (see Churches & Synagogues)

Top 10 Sights

1. Tower Ruins

Only the tower of the memorial church survived the destruction of World War II that razed much of the city to the ground. Today only 63 m (206 ft) high, it once rose to 113 m (370 ft). The hole in the tower’s roof has a sharply ragged edge which is why the tower was nicknamed “hollow tooth” by the Berliners.
2. Kaiser’s Mosaic

One of the mosaics that have been preserved depicts Emperor Heinrich I on his throne, with imperial orb and sceptre. Originally decorated throughout with scenes from German imperial history, the church interior was meant to place the Hohenzollerns within this tradition.
3. Mosaic of the Hohenzollerns

The surprisingly coloured mosaic of the Hohenzollerns adorns the vestibule of the church ruins. It depicts Emperor Wilhelm I together with Queen Luise of Prussia and her entourage.
4. Coventry Crucifix

This small crucifix was forged from old nails that were found in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral. It commemorates the bombing of Coventry, England, by the German Luftwaffe in 1940.
5. New Bell Tower

The new hexagonal bell tower rises 53 m (174 ft) high next to the tower ruins, on the site of the old church’s main nave.
6. Main Altar

The golden figure of Christ created by Karl Hemmeter is suspended above the modern main altar in the new church. In the evening light, the windows behind the altar glow an overwhelming dark blue.
7. Tower Clock

The tower bears a clock based on a Classical design, with Roman numerals. At night, it is lit in blue by modern light-emitting diodes to match the lighting inside the new church.
8. The Orthodox Cross

A gift from the Russian Orthodox bishops of Volokolomsk and Yuruyev, this cross was given in memory of the victims of Nazism.
9. Original Mosaics

Mosaics showing Prussian dukes are preserved on the walls and ceilings all along the stairways.
10. Figure of Christ

Miraculously, the vast, plain sculpture of Christ, which is suspended from the ceiling, survived the bombing of the church.

Practical Information

There are fantastic views of the church from the Mövenpick Café in the Europa-Center opposite. If possible, visit the interior of the new church on a sunny day around lunchtime, when the blue glass window is at its most impressive. Breitscheidplatz www.gedaechtniskirche.de (030) 218 50 23 Church 9am–7pm, memorial hall 10am– 4pm Mon–Sat Services 10am and 6pm Sun Admission free