Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, Berlin, Germany

The original Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on the site was built in the 1890s. It was badly damaged in a bombing raid in 1943. The present building, which consists of a church with an attached foyer and a separate belfry with an attached chapel, was built between 1959 and 1963. The damaged spire of the old church has been retained and its ground floor has been made into a memorial hall. The Memorial Church today is a famous landmark of western Berlin, and is nicknamed by Berliners 'der Hohle Zahn', meaning 'The Hollow Tooth'.

Kaiser Wilhelm II decided to name the church in honor of his grandfather Kaiser Wilhelm I. The foundation stone was laid on March 22, 1891, which was Wilhelm I's birthday. The competition for the design was won by Franz Schwechten who planned for a large church to be built in Romanesque Revival style, including 2,740 square metres of wall mosaic. The spire was 113 metres high and the nave seated over 2,000 people. The church was consecrated on September 1, 1895. By this time of the consecration the entrance hall in the lower section had not been completed. This was opened and consecrated on February 22, 1906. In the Second World War, on the night of November 23, 1943, the church was irreparably damaged in an air raid. The church was largely destroyed but part of the spire and much of the entrance hall survived.

References:

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User Reviews

Will Hardin (31 days ago)
A reflection of the past and a vision of the future. The church was heavily damaged/destroyed in WW11 and the remains as a reminder of the cities past and long established history. The new church from the outside in the day time looks like any 1960s building but once you enter it’s an impressive sight to be behold!

Farhad Sh (2 months ago)
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is the most famous place in the city center of West Berlin and one of the most important churches in the city. This church is located in the busy and lively area of Korfurstendamm, but inside, silence and peace prevails everywhere. The complex consists of two buildings, one is the ruins of a former church and the other is a modern church building that speaks of war and peace, and the determination of the citizens of Berlin to rebuild after the war. The original church was built in the 1890s and was severely damaged in a bombing raid in 1943. The current building was built between 1959 and 1963. Today, the memorial church is one of the famous attractions of West Berlin, and the Berliners gave it the nickname "der hohle Zahn", which means the hollow tooth.

Edward Rodrigues (5 months ago)
Excellent way of preserving the history of one of Berlin's early churches. It was totally destroyed but the structure is still standing and been repurposed to hold the artifacts and historic documents detailing its history. Right next to it is the new Church and well designed and sombre. A memorial to its past and the people of those days. We recommend a visit if you are into history and architecture. ?????

Çağla Erdem (6 months ago)
It was amazing atmosphere. Old church is standing as memorial museum of war. I felt different emotions in the new church. Music and environment effect you very deeply. I did not see before like this modern church.

Bia (7 months ago)
Very impressive landmark of Berlin that surrounded by a lot of shops and restaurant. It's not a big place but the architecture is nice. I would say this place is one of the must visit place in Berlin. Recommended!!!!

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