The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was heavily bombed towards the end of war. What's left, is a living memorial to the violence and destruction that the allies wrought upon this city. This church was a casualty but also a focal point for Berliners to rebuild. Sadly, when it comes to churches, everyone has their own opinion... which is why today, the ruins stand as a testimony to the destruction of the Second World War. But! The citizens did build a beautiful Kirche next to the ruins. The discussions are ongoing, on the next phase of the rebuild. Some eighty-five years after the end of the fighting. See the many, many photos of both the New, and old Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche. The new octagon sanctuary is magnificent! May I suggest you plan your visit around enjoying its beauty, splendor and peaceful solitude. You'll thank me later. read more

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This is a review of the buildings and their setting alone; I'm not reviewing the church as a worshiping, political, or theological body. If you visit Berlin, you must visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The old church was built in the 1890s and largely destroyed by Allied bombing in 1943 during World War II. Like St. Nicholas Church in Hamburg, the ruins of the old church have been preserved as both a memorial and a statement against war and its devastating effects on society. Locally, it's referred to as The Hollow Tooth. The ruins are striking from a distance--especially the damaged spire--but they have removed the other parts of the church at very right angles so that when you're standing right next it, it doesn't feel like the result of bombing but, rather, construction. The new church's horrid bell tower and main building itself being right next to the old church (on either side) doesn't help either. Inside the old church, there are informational panels about the history and destruction of the church. There are also three important artifacts: a damaged statue and two crosses. The statue is of Jesus, and it used to be on the main altar of the church before it was destroyed. The first cross is made of nails that came directly from the roof of Coventry Cathedral in England, which was damaged by German bombing in 1940; there's so much symbology, both secular and religious, in the fact that the German damage to a British church became a gift of peace to a German church damaged by British bombs. The second cross is an icon donated by the Russian Orthodox Church, also highly theologically charged, as Soviet forces obliterated large eastern portions of the city (and raped scores of German women) during the Battle of Berlin, which ended the war in Europe but also led to the partition of the city between east and west and further untold suffering of its civilian population; in my mind, this cross is less an expression of pure solidarity among nations and more solidarity among different sects of Christianity, as the Soviet Union was officially an atheist country that was virulently and violently anti-religious, and it actively repressed the Russian Orthodox Church and all other churches. (One of my great uncles [probably technically a cousin] was a Jesuit priest who survived being sent to the labor camps in Siberia.) From the outside, the new church is only interesting because of its scale. A totally random visitor might ask Why did they build such a huge boxy glass thing right next to this old ruin, and what's inside? When I first went inside, though, it was one of the most striking transitions I've ever experienced, and I've been to many churches. The stained-glass windows comprise these tiny square panes, which you can see from the outside but which look like plain glass blocks rather than beautiful liturgical art. And maybe that's the point; Jesus didn't come as a conquering king but as the child of a poor family. What looks ugly and plain from the outside is breathtaking inside. It's a good reminder for all of us, especially those of educated in Jesuit institutions, to find God in all things, no matter how off-putting or insignificant-seeming. The floor tile is also beautiful and really well done. Almost everything about the interior of the new church is interesting at first and even better when you've spent some time looking at it. The old and new churches have a prominent location on the Kurfürstendamm, a huge street with lots of shops in Breitscheidplatz, south of the world-famous zoo. When the city was still divided, this was Berlin's city center, but within all of reunited Berlin, it's part of the Zoo Quarter, which is in the western part of the city. It still feels important, but I can imagine that especially at the height of the Cold War the damaged church spire was a constant reminder of what could happen again at any moment. As it's easy to imagine, damaged buildings require a great deal of maintenance so that they don't collapse completely. In another sign of former enemies reconciling, one of the champions of raising money to maintain the old church's structural integrity was Charles Jeffrey Gray, a former British bomber pilot who flew bombing raids over Berlin during World War II. read more

While we were in Germany for the Berlin Marathon we had a chance to explore and visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. It's over 100 years old and was badly damaged during the WW2 allied bombings. Amazing that it's still standing and is a reminder of such a terrible time in history. There is a newer more modern looking addition that is actively used and we viewed a listing of events and times to attend. We didn't have a chance to do these as we were on a tour with a quick stop here. Just from the outside you can view the remnants of the church, some sculptures, art pieces, and information. Some of the original church was rebuilt and restored and it's a beautiful piece of architecture. Definitely worth a visit if you're a history buff. read more

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This was an amazing place to visit. We did not pay for the guided tour, but we did walk around and inside the church to see the amazing architecture, including what was destroyed in war and rebuilt. It was very interesting to see the lasting cracks and damage. The inside of the church has information about the church's history that you can read at your own pace for free. We also visited the chapel, which was beautiful. read more

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The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is over 100 years old. The church was heavy damaged in 1943 during a bombing during World War II. The newer addition that is actively used is adjacent and has a remarkable bright blue backdrop that really took my breath away. read more

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This is one of the World's most amazing and unique church's. There are the bombed out remains of the original church (World War 2) and the new rebuilt church next to it. They keep the remains to remind people of the ravages of war. The new church has some of the best stained glass work that I have seen. Check the website, they have musical performances and actual church services. read more

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What could I possibly say that hasn't already been said? If you've never visited, then make it part of your first or second trip to Berlin. Definitely do the tour, and climb up. Well worth it to hear the guide recite the history of the church. read more

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche - Churches Near Me - Berlin, BE

Called "the hollow tooth" the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is a Protestant church on the Kurfürstendamm in the centre of the Breitscheidplatz. Badly damaged in a bombing raid in 1943 the present building was built between 1959 and 1963, but the damaged spire of the old church has been retained and its ground floor has been made into a memorial hall acting as modern history. read more

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The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche is an example of everything I love about Berlin. Let me explain: The one thing that really struck me about Berlin was that in a lot of areas, you'd be walking around and then all of a sudden you'd come across an old bombed-out building. Now, in most places, those buildings would be torn down to make way for something new. Not so in Berlin. Instead of tearing town their scars of war, Berliners instead embrace the buildings as a part of their past, and in many cases, turn them into works of art. The Berlin wall is the most obvious example, but you can find examples throughout the city. I found the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche to be particularly striking. Although it isn't covered in graffiti like so many other ruinous buildings in Berlin, I love the way this old building is juxtaposed against all the new retail stores in this area. It's definitely one of the more interesting landmarks in the city. read more

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche - Churches Near Me - Berlin, BE

A lot of the interior of the old church is in remarkably good condition - I had expected it to be a blasted out shell. The modern church seems a little bit dated now but it's still worth seeing. It's surprisingly tranquil considering it's sandwiched in between two busy streets. Worth seeing if you want an idea of the extent of the destruction that the Nazi regime wrought upon Germany during World War Two. read more

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The Kaiser Dom is a major landmark in central Berlin. Commissioned by Kaiser Wilhelm II and built 1893-1905, this huge church contains a crypt with the remains of the Hohenzollern Dynasty with the notable exception of Wilhelm II himself. It is technically not a cathedral the German word 'Dom' also referring to collegiate churches with endowments. History The church is built on the site of a series of earlier churches, the first of which was a Royal Chapel of the Brandenburg family built in 1451. This became a collegiate church in 1465 and the burial place of the Hohenzollern dynasty from 1545. A new facade was added in 1667, but in 1747 the church was demolished to make way for an extension to the castle, and a new church church erected in 1747-50 in the Baroque style. Karl Friedrich Schinkel remodeled this in 1820 in a simpler neo-classical style, but Wilhelm II wanted something altogether grander for his redeveloped capital, and so the 'new' church was demolished and replaced with the present church in the 19th Century Neo-Baroque style. The building was badly damaged in 1940 and again in 1944, when the dome was hit by an incendiary bomb and collapsed, the rubble falling through into the crypt. Restoration was begun in 1975 and completed in 1993. During this period, one of the wings the Memorial Hall was removed to simplify the design. The church Designed by Julius and Otto Rachsdorff in an Imperial neo-Baroque style, the exterior dimensions are suitably impressive: 114 metres (374 ft) long, 73 metres (240 ft) wide and 116 metres (381 ft) tall to the top of the dome. The interior is that of a large basilica, with a Marriage Chapel on the south side: the style is, as you would expect, grandiose, with acres of marble and gilding, but there is no question that it is impressive. The dome ceiling is decorated with more statues, gilding and mosaics, and the huge 114-pipe organ has three 32' pipes. The crypt has an altogether different ambience, the coffins of dozens of Hohenzollerns from the 15t century onwards lying under whitewashed low-vaulted ceilings, though some of the coffins are quite elaborate in themselves. A few shown signs of damaged suffered during World War II. Facilities Except for services, an entrance fee is charged to cover maintenance costs. There is a small cafe, museum and shop. As well as the main church, marriage hall and crypt, access is available to the base of the dome, from which there are excellent views of Mitte (and the queues are a lot less than the ugly TV tower nearby). There are a lot of steps, however, so only for the fit! The church has a locally-drawn congregation: for information on services, see the website. read more

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Just want to let people know that is is currently undergoing construction and you can't really see it--so if you were going to make your way out there just for this, don't. Not sure when it will be over, sorry :( read more

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche - Construction - Churches Near Me - Berlin, BE

Damaged during World War 2 (air raid 1943). You can hear/see the orchestra there as well. Originally built in 1890s. It's in the city near the mall and the zoo. It's interesting to see historical structures near modern shops. Either way, it's a beautiful build with tons of history. It's currently under construction. read more

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche - Churches Near Me - Berlin, BE

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As a historic landmark, this is one you simply must visit. When built, it was dedicated to the Kaiser, and was an aggressively bombastic pile of bricks. The interior was sumptuous, befitting a nascent power. The interior is free and absolutely a requirement to visit in Berlin. After WWII the decision was made to tear down much of the ruin and keep only the broken main tower and its entry hall. One local nickname for this is 'the broken tooth' The 1960s addition is far less successful than one might hope. It is an incongruous and sad counterpoint to the shattered ruin. I'm a fan of mid-century modernism, and I simply cannot make a case that this is well placed or appropriate. The 'broken tooth' would have been so much more effective in its role as a warning to future generations were it preserved in an open space. The new bell tower is the biggest disappointment. I entered the base expecting to see the stained glass above me - and instead there is a small gift shop with no ability to see up - it can be best described as 'crappy Pier One rip off' goods. Unbelievable fail. Oh, and on the plaza, next to the new sanctuary, they have installed a series of retail kiosks, which enliven the space, but are just silly looking backed up to the modernist hexagonal box. read more

a fairly recent church first built in the very late 19th century to honor Wilhelm I, the first king of a unified Germany. during WW2, Allied bombing runs pretty much destroyed it, and a new church was built next door with a somewhat modern art flavor (I guess, I'm not an artsy person). mostly what is on display in the remnants of the old church is some art and sculptures that were saved from the first church, and photos of the reconstruction efforts. funny story, the Berliners call the new church "the lipstick and powderbox" as that's what it looks like. admission is free. in total, it'll take you maybe a half hour to see everything here. worth a quick trip. read more

Like the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, here the skeletal remains of a beautiful cathedral pierce the sky in with a menacing shard that was once its belltower. Juxtaposed beside it is a modern, minimalist church with gorgeous stained glass work and jaw-dropping interior. The visit to both are truly moving. I'm glad someone had the foresight to keep these ruins in the public view as a more visceral memorial to the violence of World War II. You can walk inside both chruches, there is no admission fee. read more

If you are interested in History, it is a place to go. It is a reminder of the World War II and its power of destruction. It also gives us an overview of the old church and its beautiful architecture. The new one is more interesting inside. read more

If you a lucky guy - you may be closed inside of the church and listening wonderful organ music for ~ 15-20 min.

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, locally known as hohler Zahn was destroyed during allied bombings of Berlin in WWII. There is still a few pictures of how it used to look like, interesting for whoever is interested in Berlin's history. read more