The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, or Holocaust Memorial for short, is the central Holocaust memorial in Germany and commemorates the up to six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
The memorial in the heart of the city is one of the most important attractions in Berlin and should be on every itinerary.
Read this guide to find out everything you need to know before visiting the memorial, including visitor information, background knowledge, the history and things to do and see.
Let's start!
What is Holocaust?
The Holocaust is one of the greatest crimes of mankind. The Nazi era, which began with Adolf Hitler's seizure of power on January 30, 1933, and ended with the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht on May 8, 1945, is rightly called the darkest chapter in German history.
Before the Second World War and the Nazi terror, there were about 12 million Jews living in Europe. A total of about six million of them were systematically murdered. About four million of the Holocaust victims were killed in concentration and extermination camps, and two million more by massacres in the territories captured by the Wehrmacht.
Things to Do at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin
1. Walk through the Field of Stelae
The Holocaust Memorial is an undulating Field of Stelae ("Stelenfeld") with a total of 2710 cuboid concrete slabs, called “stelae”. It is freely accessible and can be entered from all sides. By walking through the labyrinth-like memorial with stelae of different sizes, you can really experience and feel the site.
The uneven, supposedly swaying ground often evokes a sense of confusion in visitors. This is intentional and is meant to remind us of the cruelty and the victims, yet also to make us reflect.
2. Visit the Information Center
The Information Center is also a part of the memorial. It is located beneath the Field of Stelae.
This is where you can take a closer look at the history of the Holocaust and learn more about the fates of countless Jewish children, women and men during National Socialism.
After passing through a security check, you will first receive background information in the foyer. You will then enter four themed rooms with an exhibition documenting the persecution and extermination of Europe's Jews, as well as the sites of these crimes. The exhibits are presented with explanatory information in German and English.
Entrance, Tickets & Tours for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial)
- Entrance: The Field of Stelae is accessible 24 hours, the place of information is open every day except Mondays. From October to April it is open from 10am-1pm, and from May to September from 10am-8pm. Last admission: 45 minutes before closing. It is closed all day from December 24-26 and from 4 p.m. on December 31.
- Tickets: Visiting the Field of Stelae and the Information Center is free of charge. It is possible to reserve time slot tickets for the Information Center in advance, starting 7 days before the visit, to avoid queues. You can book tickets free of charge here.
- Tours: There is a free guided tour in German on Sundays at 15:00, and in English on Saturdays at 15:00. The duration is 45 minutes. Registration is not necessary. More information here. Listening tours of the exhibition are available in German and English for an additional fee. More details here.
- Traveler's Tip: For those who want to explore these and other highlights of Berlin on their own, we recommend the self-guided audio tours from our partner YourMobileGuide. The audio guide app Best of Berlin takes visitors with fascinating background information to the most important places of interest in the heart of Berlin, including the Holocaust Memorial.
How to Get to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin?
- From Alexanderplatz: Take the U5 for four stops to the "Brandenburger Tor" station. From here it is another 7 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the 300 bus and go 5 stops to the "Behrenstr./Wilhelmstr., Berlin" station. It takes only three minutes to get to the Holocaust Memorial from here.
- From Potsdamer Platz: You can reach the Holocaust Memorial from Potsdamer Platz after a walk of about 7 minutes along Ebertstraße.
FAQ about the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial) is located in the Mitte district of Berlin, about a 7-minute walk south of the Brandenburg Gate. The address is: Cora-Berliner-Strasse 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
The Holocaust Memorial was built between 2003 and 2005. It was finally inaugurated on May 10, 2005.
The Holocaust Memorial is an undulating, labyrinthine " Field of Stelae " with a total of 2710 cuboid stelae. It also consists of the Information Center, an exhibition documenting the persecution and extermination of the Jews of Europe and the sites of these crimes.
History & Facts about the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial)
In 1999, the German Bundestag decided to build a central memorial. The New York architect Peter Eisenman was commissioned with the construction and won the competition with his design.
After a 2-year construction phase on an area of about 19,000 m² south of the Brandenburg Gate, the memorial was ceremoniously inaugurated on May 10, 2005. The memorial is maintained by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Foundation, which was established in 2000.
Today it is one of the most visited attractions in Berlin. The Information Center alone is visited by nearly half a million guests each year.
Contact & Map
- Address: Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial), Cora-Berliner-Strasse 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
- Opening Hours: Field of Stelae: Daily, around the clock.
- Public Transport: U5 to "Brandenburger Tor".
- Website: Memorial-to-the-murdered-jews-of-europe/
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