Beneath the unadorned concrete cross, lies a sanctuary of remembrance. The Gedenkkirche Plötzensee stands here. It is a place of worship and a memorial. Its story is etched in art and architecture.
The Gedenkkirche Plötzensee is one of three churches. These churches commemorate victims of Nazi justice. These victims were once imprisoned at Plötzensee prison. Completed in 1970, the Gedenkkirche Plötzensee may seem inconspicuous. Its simple design hides a profound purpose. Many passersby don’t realize it’s a church. The large concrete cross offers the only clue. This functional building houses more than just a church. Inside you will find a daycare center. There are also apartments, offices and community rooms.
The main church reflects church reform ideas from the 1960s. The altar is at the center. Seats form a square around it. This design fosters community. It encourages involvement in the service. The windowless walls are made of raw concrete. Only a skylight illuminates the altar. This intentional design evokes a prison cell. It is a direct reminder of the Plötzensee prison’s victims.
But the true treasure lies within. The “Plötzensee Dance of Death” is here. It is by Viennese artist Alfred Hrdlicka. This artwork is a highlight. It is one of Berlin’s most significant pieces of contemporary church art. Hrdlicka created sixteen panels. Each panel measures 3.50 meters high and 0.99 meters wide. He used pencil, charcoal, ink, opaque white, and red chalk. The panels depict a medieval dance of death. Biblical motifs are displayed. Cain and Abel are shown. The crucifixion of Jesus is depicted. Modern scenes of violence are also shown. Executions at Plötzensee are represented.
Throughout the panels, you will find recurring images. Iron hooks appear. Steel beams are shown. Round arches signify the Plötzensee execution shed. Yet, the work concludes with hope. The “Emmaus Last Supper Easter” panels offer an optimistic end.
The Gedenkkirche Plötzensee is part of the Path of Remembrance. It connects various memorial sites in Charlottenburg-Nord. Since 2009, the Ecumenical Commemoration Center has been located here. It is called “Christians and Resistance.” The Gedenkkirche Plötzensee stands near the Maria Regina Martyrum. This Catholic memorial church shares a close ecumenical bond. Together they hold ecumenical peace prayers monthly since 1984.
Take a moment to reflect within these walls. Remember the victims of injustice. Appreciate the power of art. The Gedenkkirche Plötzensee is not just a building. It is a testament to memory, community and the enduring strength of the human spirit.