In Germany, the completion of a church has begun, which played a role in Nazi propaganda

Potsdam - In Potsdam, in eastern Germany, the completion of a church began this week, which played an important role in Nazi propaganda in the 1930s. The so-called Garrison Church is linked by its opponents to Prussian militarism and the rise of Adolf Hitler to power. However, according to supporters of its restoration, it is now more a symbol of peace, democracy, and reconciliation among nations. A replica of the church's facade and tower has been completed since last summer, with only the tower's cupola remaining. It is expected to be finished by the summer of 2027.

The Potsdam Garrison Church (Garnisonkirche) was commissioned in the 1730s by the then-Prussian king Frederick William I, based on plans by architect Philipp Gerlach. The Protestant church was considered a gem of North German Baroque, highlighted by a 90-meter-high tower. The church was so closely linked to Prussia and its royal family that it served as a temporary burial place for King Frederick William I and his son Frederick II the Great.

During World War II, the church was severely damaged but was not completely destroyed. In 1968, however, the government of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) decided to demolish the building. On the site of the church, a Computing Center was built, which still stands today.

At the beginning of the millennium, an initiative was launched aimed at the restoration of the Garrison Church. This sparked a controversial debate, but gradually the project gained supporters. Despite opposition from parts of the public, construction work began in 2017, culminating in the festive opening of the church last summer with the attendance of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Due to the Computing Center, which still stands, only the facade of the church with the tower has been restored, housing a chapel and an exhibition documenting the history of Prussia, Potsdam, and the church itself. Now only the tower's cupola remains. Along with it, the costs for the restoration of the church will rise to 42.5 million euros (over a billion CZK). The finances come from public sources as well as donations. Among the generous donors is the well-known television presenter Günther Jauch.

"The cupola is more than just an architectural detail. Thanks to it, the newly reconstructed tower will harmoniously fit back into the city skyline," stated Peter Leinemann, chairman of the Potsdam Garrison Church Foundation.

Preparatory work for the installation of the cupola began this week. Scaffolding has appeared at the top of the church tower, and a giant crane is positioned under the church. The cupola will be made of wood, copper, and steel and will be nearly 30 meters high, restoring the total height of the church to its original 90 meters after installation. The cupola will first be assembled on the ground and later lifted to the top of the tower by a 130-ton crane. By then, it will also be fitted with a weather vane, which has been ready since 2014 and is currently displayed in a gridded box in front of the church.

The completion of the Potsdam church evokes controversy due to its association with Prussian militarism, but especially with the so-called Potsdam Day, which coincidentally marked its 92nd anniversary last Friday. A ceremony was held on March 21, 1933, at the Garrison Church for the establishment of the new Reichstag, the first since the Nazis took power. It was originally supposed to take place in the Reichstag building in Berlin, which had burned down shortly before.

A photograph of Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler shaking hands with President Paul von Hindenburg outside the church became a symbol of the Nazis' rise to power. The Ministry of Propaganda, led by Joseph Goebbels, used the event to strengthen the position of the Nazis in German society, interpreting it as a connection between old Prussia and national socialism.

Thus, there were concerns both in Potsdam and beyond that the church could become a meeting place for right-wing extremists. However, the foundation for the restoration of the church clearly advocates for diversity and an open society. "We want to strengthen social cohesion and promote peace and democracy. We oppose discrimination and exclusion, and against any form of anti-Semitism, racism, and historical revisionism," states its website. Despite initial resistance to its construction, the Garrison Church has become another tourist attraction in the Brandenburg metropolis and has gradually found a place in the hearts of the residents of Potsdam, according to members of the foundation.