- Church in Garrison sustains harm due to painting shortly post inauguration
Within mere days of its grand unveiling, the Potsdam Garrison Church tower saw some unwanted attention. Preliminary investigations suggest that mischievous individuals launched paint-filled balloons towards the fresh facade, causing the police to issue a report. The tower endured two impacts, leaving behind two sizable red smears about six to eight meters up.
The church tower's front now boasts a pair of noticeable red blotches, while the base's wall is splattered with the same vibrant hue. As per a police spokesperson, the path below was also tainted with the same red substance. Consequently, a criminal case has been filed for vandalism.
The tower held its inauguration ceremony the previous week, attended by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and others. Since then, the tower has been accessible to visitors. The observational platform, found 57 meters up, is expected to draw tourists. Nonetheless, the tower is not yet completely built – a 30-meter high dome is slated for construction in 2026, making it the tallest building in Potsdam, standing at 90 meters.
The reconstruction instigated debate
On March 21, 1933, after the Nazi seizure of power, the inaugural Reichstag was hosted in this church in Potsdam. This "Day of Potsdam" saw former Reich President Paul von Hindenburg and the new Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler exchange handshakes in front of the Garrison Church. The tower's restoration project has stirred significant controversy, in part attributed to its historical significance.
Originally constructed in 1735, the military church was reduced to ashes during World War II. In 1968, orders from the DDR leadership led to its demolition. Construction on the new tower began in 2017, striving to resemble its historical counterpart in appearance. The tower's construction cost around 42 million euros, primarily funded by the federal government with no intention of rebuilding the church nave.
The restoration efforts have sparked intense discussions amongst locals and history enthusiasts. Despite the vandalism incident, the rebuilding process is expected to continue, aiming to restore the tower's original grandeur.
With the vandalism case ongoing, authorities are hopeful that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, and the tower can be returned to its intended state of glory during the reconstruction process.
