The Gedächtniskirche is one of the most symbolic structures in the city of Berlin. It is located in what was considered to be the center of West Berlin. This historic building is located on Breitscheidplatz and has the nick name of the “Hollow Tooth”. The building was constructed from 1891 to 1895. The construction of this building was to serve as a memorial for the first Kaiser of Germany named Kaiser Wilhelm I who served as the first German Emperor from 1861-1888. Wilhelm I was an important figure in German history because it was Otto von Bismarck and Wilhelm I who united Germany into one nation. The architect and builder of the Gedächtniskirche was a man named Franz Heinrich Schwechten. He built the Gedächtniskirche with a neo-Romanesque style. (berlin.de, 2012)
Kaiser Wilhelm I Memorial Church at Night (Photograph by John Wetzel)
During World War 2 this building was badly damaged and left in the same condition since World War 2. The first time the building was damaged was on December 23, 1943. The building was somewhat damaged during this attack but was almost completely destroyed during the air raids in April of 1945. The building is still in the same state that it was in April of 1945 with only part of the west tower still remaining. It was the only building on the square that was spared from complete bombing and ruin during the air raids. The building was deliberately preserved as a symbol of war and destruction. (berlin.de, 2012)
statues on the side (Photograph by John Wetzel)
There was a new building that was constructed from 1957 to 1963 right next to the Gedächtniskirche. The old building was set to be demolished in 1956 to make room for the new building but that was met with great opposition. There were tons of letters sent by the people to keep the memorial church in its original spot because there was talk of making a separate memorial for this church and tearing down the ruins of the original building. The new church was built in order to hold services since the old building was a mere ruin (berlin.de, 2012). Both buildings are seen to demonstrate the differences in modernism and history (visitberlin.de, 2016). The old Kaiser Memorial Church is still used for ceremonies and services. The old building also stands as a symbol for the Berliners will to try and rebuild their city after the devastation of World War 2 (visitberlin.de, 2016).
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church has a crumbling foundation that has been of great concern for many people. Due to the rain that collects from the run-off, the foundation of the church is starting to fall apart (Alvis, 1997). There has been lotteries in the past to raise money in order to perform much needed repairs on the building (Alvis, 1997). The struggle for funding continues to be a major issue for this historical site and if the money that is needed is not raised then the building may collapse soon. This in an important memorial for not only the people of Germany but for the whole world because it represents a time of war and destruction that must be avoided.
Partially destroyed arch. (Photograph by John Wetzel)