Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church & Breitscheidplatz
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Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church - by Gregor Samimi on Unsplash
Description
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, locally known as Gedächtniskirche, is a Protestant church located in the centre of the Breitscheidplatz, along the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin. The original church on the site was built in the 1890s when Kaiser Wilhelm II sought to counter the German labour movement and socialist movement by a return to traditional religious values. It was damaged during an air raid in November 1943, but the spire has been retained and its ground floor made into a memorial hall. A new church consisting of four buildings grouped around the ruins of the old church was built. One of its key features is a figure of the resurrected Christ suspended above the altar. Breitscheidplatz marks the centre of former West Berlin and the eastern end of the Kurfürstendamm. After World War I, the square became a meeting place for bohemians and intellectuals but nowadays it has been redeveloped into a commercial destination with malls, hotels and office buildings.
Access & Transport
There are 2 stations within 200m: Zoologischer Garten (U2, U9, S3, S5, S7, S9 and regional trains) and Kurfürstendamm station (U1, U9). There are also buses lines serving the area.
Instructions & Recommendations
Breitscheidplatz can be seen at any time of the day but best to visit during the church opening hours. This activity is best combined with the Berlin Zoo / Aquarium and the Kurfürstendamm.
Environmental & Social
No environmental data for the area but there is a lot of asphalts, concrete, glass, metal and electricity consumption involved. Socially neutral as the preservation of the old church balances the heavy focus on commercial activities of Breitscheidplatz
Conclusion
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is visually very striking, and we do think it should be at least seen, if not visited, by anyone planning to spend some time on the western side of the city. It encapsulates many aspects of Berlin: its cultural heritage, the ravages of war and its redevelopment - which can be seen on Breitscheidplatz itself.
Key positive
A rare example of recent ruin in a city centre
Excellent public transport connectivity
Key negative
The new church and the whole Breitscheidplatz redevelopment are not aesthetically pleasing
Suitability
Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility (modern church is step free and the old church can be accessed via a ramp at the back of the building).
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 30m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Monday09:00 - 19:00
Tuesday09:00 - 19:00
Wednesday09:00 - 19:00
Thursday09:00 - 19:00
Friday09:00 - 19:00
Saturday09:00 - 19:00
Sunday09:00 - 19:00