Snapshot: Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin

It’s a contrasting sight- an ancient neo-Romanesque church in a tattered state, standing proud alongside a modern octagonal church structure of square- shaped concrete tiles with glass elements.

The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is today, one of the most famous landmarks in western Berlin, not just of its unusual appearance of blending old and contemporary, but because of its embattled history.

The original church was erected in the 1890s, but suffered badly during a bombing raid in 1943. Only the partially damaged west tower was left standing. For years, the church dubbed “Hollow Tooth” was left in a state of disrepair, as a stern reminder of the devastating effects of the war.

Eventually, parts of it was restored and now, the ground level is made into a memorial hall, while the church’s exterior retain its frayed appearance. The hall houses a handful of the church’s original objects and photos of the church before and after its attack. Do look up at the ceiling’s gorgeous mosaic design, which survived the war and only needed slight restoration.

Did you know: If you observe the walls of the church close enough, you might see bullet walls on its façade.

The newer counterpart of the church was built in 1959 and took two years. Designed by Egon Eiermann, it spots a most unusual design. Octagonal in shape, the exterior of the church was in a tiled design wrapped by concrete framing with colored glass blocks. When you’re inside, the colors bouncing off the glass creates a bluish tint of meditative calm. This newer church was initially intended to replace the original church, but was then obliged to stand alongside it due to berliners’ mass appeal to have the old church stay as a war reminder.