A church which Hitler famously used in his rise to power has reopened after nearly 80 years, amongst protests.
The reconstruction of the Garrison Church tower in Potsdam, Berlin, has sparked significant controversy, with some fearing it could embolden the growing German far-right.
On March 21, 1933, the Garrison Church, or Garnisonkirche, was the scene of the first opening of parliament after Adolf Hitler became chancellor - weeks after the fire at the Reichstag building in Berlin that was followed by the suspension of civil liberties.
Outside the church, Hitler shook hands with the then President Paul von Hindenbur.
Only a year later, Hitler became führer after the death of the 86-year-old President, merging the role of chancellor and president into one person, establishing himself as Germany’s head of state and head of Government.
More than 100 people gathered to protest at the site this week, some holding banners showing the Garrison Church in the shape of an imperial eagle.
Concern about the strength of the far right has mounted in Germany in recent months.
The far-right Alternative for Germany party looks set to perform well in three state elections in the formerly communist east - including in Brandenburg, which Potsdam is the capital of - over the next month.
Germany's current President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has defended the project, saying its rebuilding offers a chance to reflect on the country’s political history.
Backers aim to counter the opposition with an exhibition taking a critical look at the site's history.
The regional Protestant bishop, Christian Stablein, also pledged at the inauguration ceremony to ensure that “the enemies of democracy and peace... have no place here”.
Newly inscribed into the tower’s base are the words “Guide our feet into the way of peace” in five languages.
Bishop Christian added that the road to rebuilding the tower “was long, it was complicated and, as we can hear outside, it remains contentious”.
“This place challenges us,” he said. “It confronts us with its and with our history.”
