Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche or Memorial Church on Kurfürstendamm is a monument to peace and reconciliation, and the internationally famous symbol of Berlin's desire to rebuild itself in the aftermath of the war. The Gedächtniskirche consists of an ensemble of church ruins and the modern buildings which surround it, and is consequently characterized by the stark contrast of history and modernity. The neo-Roman church, which was intended to recall the glory of the first German Kaiser, was built in an ornamental style from 1891–95 to plans by Schwechten. After the church was destroyed in an air raid in 1943, the ruins – a constant, unavoidable reminder of the horrors of war for Berliners – were supposed to be demolished to make way for the planned new building in 1956. After a storm of emotional protests, it was decided to integrate the ruins into the new building.