Attraction
Brandenburg Gate
Berlin's best-known landmark, a neoclassical gate completed in 1791 and crowned by the Quadriga, which stood beside the Wall until it reopened in December 1989.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
The bomb-damaged tower of an 1895 church beside Egon Eiermann's 1960s church of blue glass, preserved on Breitscheidplatz as a memorial against war.
At a glance
- Type
- War-damaged church and memorial
- Area
- Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany
- Official site
- gedaechtniskirche-berlin.de
Good to know
- Free entry
- Memorial hall
- Services
- Organ music
Why we recommend it
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stands on Breitscheidplatz at the top of the Kurfürstendamm, and its broken spire is the landmark of the western city centre. The original church was designed by Franz Schwechten in a Neo-Romanesque style and dedicated in 1895 in memory of Kaiser Wilhelm I. During an air raid on the night of 22 to 23 November 1943 it was badly damaged, and after the war the ruin of the old tower was kept as a reminder of the destruction.
Between 1959 and 1963 the architect Egon Eiermann added a new ensemble around the old tower: an octagonal church, a separate bell tower, a chapel and a foyer. From outside the new buildings look like plain honeycombs of concrete, but inside the walls glow deep blue. They are made up of more than 21,000 pieces of stained glass by the French artist Gabriel Loire, mostly blue with flecks of red, green and yellow, and above the altar hangs a large gilded figure of Christ. Sitting quietly here, away from the traffic outside, is one of the most memorable experiences in the west of the city.
The ground floor of the old tower has been turned into a memorial hall. Its surviving mosaics and reliefs show the original splendour of the church, and an exhibition tells the story of the building, its destruction and its role as a memorial for peace and reconciliation. Look out for the Coventry Cross of Nails, a symbol of reconciliation between Britain and Germany.
The church is free to enter, and donations are welcome. It is a working church with regular services and organ music, so visitors should be quiet and respectful during worship. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to see both the new church and the memorial hall. The square outside holds one of the city's busiest Christmas markets in December, and a memorial on the church steps recalls the victims of the attack on the market in 2016.
Zoologischer Garten station, served by S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional trains, is a few minutes' walk away, and Kurfürstendamm U-Bahn station is also close. The Bikini Berlin concept mall, the Zoo, the department store KaDeWe on Tauentzienstrasse and the shops of the Kurfürstendamm are all nearby.
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church FAQs
Is it free to visit?
Yes, entry is free and donations are welcome.
What happened to the original church?
It was badly damaged in an air raid in November 1943, and the ruined tower was preserved as a memorial.
Who designed the new church?
Egon Eiermann, between 1959 and 1963.
Why is the new church blue inside?
Its walls hold more than 21,000 pieces of mainly blue stained glass by Gabriel Loire.
What is in the old tower?
A memorial hall with original mosaics and an exhibition on the church's history.
How long should you allow?
About 30 to 45 minutes.
What is the nearest station?
Zoologischer Garten, a few minutes' walk away, or Kurfürstendamm on the U-Bahn.
Can you visit during services?
Services are for worship, so sightseeing should wait until they finish.