Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Berlin's poignant symbol of rebirth
Word to the wise: At risk of collapsing, the old church is currently undergoing restoration and is covered by tarpaulin. The new church, however, is still open to visitors.

Noteworthy for: The walls of the new church contain nearly 22,000 pieces of blue stained glass.
The shattered spire reaching into the sky became a poignant symbol of hope and resilience to Berliners. Originally built in the late 19th century by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the church was badly damaged in a 1943 air raid leaving all but these melancholy remnants.

After the war, instead of pulling the ruins down and rebuilding, it was decided to keep the existing structure as a stalwart symbol of Berlin's rise from the ashes. A new, modernist church was erected right around the old one, and the contrasting styles represent the past and the future of Berlin.

While the concrete structure isn't much from the outside, step into the church and behold the luminous effect of the stained glass tiles glowing around the statue of Christ, apparently floating in a sea of light. It can be a deeply moving experience.