Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Gedächtniskirche) is one of a kind, both for its historical significance and for its appearance. The original church was severely damaged during a bombing raid in 1943 and stood in ruins for years. When it was time to reconstruct the church, almost 15 years later, the question was whether to demolish the remains and go for a completely new design, or preserve them.
In the end, Berlin chose memory. The jagged spire of the old church was kept as a war memorial, while architect Egon Eiermann designed new structures beside it, including a hexagonal bell tower and an octagonal chapel. The locals call the complex Lippenstift und Puderdose, lipstick and powder box, as the damaged, old spire looks like a lipstick and the rest of the complex its powder box.
The church is located right off Berlin’s famous avenue, Kurfürstendamm, shopping malls like Europa-Center and KaDeWe, and the vast, green Tiergarten park. Looking to stay nearby? Explore the rooms of our hotel near Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and make the most of this vibrant part of the city.
