The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church can be found in West Berlin and for all who visit it acts as stark reminder of the futility of war and the subsequent destruction it brings. The original church was built in the 1890s by order of Emperor Wilhelm II who wanted to erect a religious memorial in honour of his grandfather. The church was constructed in the neo-romantic style and designed by architect Franz Schwechten. It originally featured five spires and the highest tower in the city, whilst it also contained the second largest peal of church bells in Germany.

During World War II in November 1943, the church suffered irreparable damage during an allied air raid and all that remained was one of the spires and the entrance hall. After the war the church’s striking ruins became a reminder of the horrors of the war, but also a symbol of the city rising from the ashes. In 1947 there were plans put in place to demolish the church to build a new one, but this led to huge disagreements and public protests, so as a compromise the architect Egon Eiermann built the modern octagonal church building which sits to the side of the ruin. This allowed the old spire to act solely as a striking memorial, which invites visitors inside to explore the church’s original features.

Inside the Hall of Remembrance, you will discover fascinating mosaics and murals that span across the celling and floor, plus artifacts which have been saved from the original church. From the outside you can admire an array of intricate mythical carvings including a unique dragon design tucked away above a side door. 

Nicknamed by Berliner’s as ‘the hollow tooth’ the ruins act as a monument for peace between nations, whilst also signifying an extremely important part of Berlin’s history.