Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently had the honor of inaugurating the rebuilt tower of the Garrison Church in Potsdam, a site deeply connected to the rise of the Nazi regime and the country’s complicated past. The baroque tower now stands 57 meters above street level, offering a unique view of the city while serving as a poignant reminder of the country’s tumultuous history. The Garrison Church was the scene of a pivotal moment in Germany’s history when Adolf Hitler became chancellor in 1933, just weeks after the Reichstag fire. Outside the church, Hitler shook hands with President Paul von Hindenburg, marking the alliance between the Nazis and conservative traditionalists.
Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Image via Getty)
The church, originally built in the 1730s to serve the Prussian royal court and the military, was burned out in bombing shortly before the end of World War II, and the remains of the tower were subsequently destroyed under East Germany’s communist government in 1968. Plans to rebuild the church have been met with opposition and controversy, with critics viewing it as a symbol of militarism and a potential rallying point for the far-right. However, backers of the project aim to counter this perception by creating an exhibition that critically examines the history of the site.
Steinmeier emphasized the importance of confronting the country’s and its own history, noting that the building had been used to serve nationalist propaganda and glorify war in the past. Despite the challenges, Steinmeier saw an opportunity for the site to promote democracy and peace today, particularly in light of growing concerns about the strength of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. The inauguration ceremony took place amidst protests by a group that has opposed the rebuilding of the church, with over 100 people demonstrating outside the tower.
