The new blue glass belfry flanking the damaged tower of the old church is one of the most popular landmarks of Berlin. Although the church hides rather sad war story, the truncated tower got the opt.. nickname ‘Hohler Zahn’ ( the empty tooth ). The new church and the belfry accordingly to their shape were named ‘ the lipstick and the powdercase ‘.
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche
The impressive Neo-Romanesque church was consecrated in 1895 dedicated to Emperor William I and ‘Sedan tag’ (Sedan Day ). It was located in the heart of Kurfurstendamm , the new residential area developed in the way similar to Champs Elysees in Paris. Between the wars Ku’damm became intellectual and artistic centre of the city.
Unfortunately during the Second World War the area went under heavy bomb attacks and many of the buildings were destroyed. In 1943 the church fall down leaving only standing alone front tower, which till today presents damaged roof. After the War the rumble from remains of the church was cleaned and the area has been changed into Gedenkhalle ( Memorial Hall ). The Memorial Hall includes some pieces from the original church. Notice worthy is the mosaic with the family tree of House of Hohenzollern with Kaiser William I as a central person.
The hall includes the model of the church with the surrounding area from pre-war time. There is also the original figure of Jesus left from the main altar, but the most spectacular is a simple cross made from nails found between the ashes of Coventry Cathedral, which also has been destroyed during the war. The cross is a gift from England, and the church preserves also another cross, received from the principles of Russian Orthodox Church.
In 1961 on the site of the original church the new one has been created in the modern octagonal shape ( hence the nickname ). The bell tower which is almost as high as the old one is made from the same material as the church. There is a steel frame supported in the base by concrete. The buildings are filled with the blue glass windows from Chartres,France.
Interior of the church features the modern gilt sculpture of Christ on the Cross.
[photo courtesy of KlausNahr]
