Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial

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  Visitors walk through the so-called "U-Boot" ("submarine") at the Stasi victims' memorial in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen.

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  The word sculpture "Freedom" by artist Hüseydin Arda can be seen in the Rosenhof at the Hohenschönhausen Memorial.

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  The Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial on the site of the former remand prison of the Ministry of State Security in Genslerstraße.

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  Visitors visit the Stasi victims' memorial in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen on "Open Day".

The Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial in the former Stasi remand prison provides information about the forms and consequences of political persecution in the GDR.

The memorial in Hohenschönhausen has been open to visitors since July 2000. The historic site at Genslerstraße 66 looks back on an eventful history that is closely intertwined with the history of the GDR. The memorial informs visitors through exhibitions, publications and events about the forms and consequences of the communist dictatorship using the prison as an example.

Memorial on a historic site

The site was in Soviet hands from May 1945. The former canteen kitchen of the National Socialist People's Welfare Organization was turned into a collection and transit camp. Around 1,000 prisoners - mainly spies, saboteurs, terrorists, members of the police and so-called "enemy elements" - died due to the catastrophic living conditions and were buried anonymously in mass graves. At the end of 1946, the camp became a prison for the Soviet occupying forces. Suspected political opponents in particular were imprisoned and tortured there. In 1951, the Ministry for State Security (MfS/Stasi) took over the site. Over 11,000 people were held there and subjected to physical and psychological violence. The prison closed on October 03, 1990.

Permanent exhibition at the Hohenschönhausen Memorial

As large parts of the buildings and furnishings have been preserved almost intact, the memorial conveys a very authentic picture of the prison regime in the GDR. The permanent exhibition "Imprisoned at Hohenschönhausen. Testimonies of political persecution 1945-1989" uses numerous original exhibits - photographs, documents and objects - to explore the reality of life for prisoners in the Stasi prison. The life and working conditions of the employees and prison management are also highlighted. Visitors can inform themselves at 100 media stations. Regularly changing special exhibitions complement the information on offer at the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial.

Hohenschönhausen Memorial: Current events and tickets

Address, Opening Hours and Contact Information

• Address:
  Genslerstr. 66
  13055 Berlin
  City map
• Opening Hours: Exhibition "Imprisoned at Hohenschönhausen": Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; exhibition "Involuntary Community": Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; tour of the prison only as part of a guided tour
• Phone: [phone]
• Internet: www.stiftung-hsh.de
• Accessibility: The permanent exhibition "Imprisoned in Hohenschönhausen" in the main building is completely barrier-free. The new prison building is accessible for wheelchair users and people with walking disabilities. Registration by telephone facilitates the organization.
• Admission Fee:
  Exhibitions free of charge, guided tours €9, concessions €5, pupils €2.50