KAISER-WILHELM-GEDÄCHTNIS-KIRCHE
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This neo-Romanesque church, partly destroyed by a bombing in 1943, is a manifesto against the horrors of war.
Built between 1891 and 1895, this neo-Romantic church was erected in memory of Emperor William I. During an Allied bombing raid during the Second World War in 1943, it was almost completely destroyed, except for the entrance porch and the base of the bell tower. In 1951, the English decided to keep it as it was, while consolidating its ruins and adding a modern choir. The project was conceived by the German architect Egon Eiermann. Its nickname of "broken church" and its strange appearance make it one of the most spectacular churches in Berlin. The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche is today a symbol of the horrors of war and a monument which, through its architectural appearance, exhorts pacifism. A place of shattering history that is a must to visit.
The modern part of Egon Eiermann is certainly the most interesting. The stained glass windows were made by Gabriel Loire and the light effects they produce inside are simply fabulous. Another symbolic detail, his cross is made of nails from Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed by Nazi bombers.
In the porch that survived the bombings, you will discover a model and photos of the church as it once existed. They give you an impression of the Charlottenburg district and its pre-war social life. The mosaics on the ceiling show a frieze of the most important members of the Hohenzollern family.
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