Berlin Memorial Church 1958

Description

Berlin Memorial Church 1958; Photo; Licensed item; Original: 2880×2160; Photographer: Unknown; Licensable; Rights: © Bleek/zb Media. The photo shows the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin in the year 1958, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Scene: The ruin of the church destroyed in World War II is still visibly standing as a monument, while all around the reconstruction of West Berlin is progressing.
Significance: The Memorial Church was deliberately preserved as a symbol against war and destruction and was an important monument for peace.
Zeitgeist: West Berlin was in a phase of economic growth and political tensions in the Cold War.
The photo captures the contrasts between past and reconstruction – the ruin as a monument and the modern Berlin developing around it.