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Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedachtnis-Kirche Review

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Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche

Address: Breitscheidpl., Western Downtown, Berlin | Map It
Phone: 030/218-5023
www.gedaechtniskirche.de

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Kurfürstendamm and Western Downtown Berlin

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Fodor's Review:

A dramatic reminder of World War II's destruction, the ruined bell tower is all that remains of the once massive church, which was completed in 1895 and dedicated to the emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm I. The Hohenzollern dynasty is depicted inside in a gilded mosaic, whose damage, like that of the building, will not be repaired. The exhibition revisits World War II's devastation throughout Europe. On the hour, the tower chimes out a melody composed by the last emperor's great-grandson, the late Prince Louis Ferdinand von Hohenzollern.

In stark contrast to the old bell tower (dubbed the "Hollow Tooth"), which is in sore need of a restoration now, are the adjoining Memorial Church and Tower, designed by the noted German architect Egon Eiermann in 1959-61. These ultramodern octagonal structures, with their myriad honeycomb windows, have nicknames as well: "the Lipstick" and the "Powder Box." Brilliant, blue stained glass from Chartres dominates the interiors. Church music and organ concerts are presented in the church regularly.

Cost: Free
Open: Old Tower Mon.-Sat. 10-6:30, Memorial Church daily 9-7
Metro: Zoologischer Garten (U-bahn and S-bahn)

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