As a historian, while in Berlin, one must always respect and respect the past and most especially the connection of the Third Reich. Germany’s capital did contribute to history in the way that is evidenced by numerous historical sites associated with this period. In this blog post, therefore, I will explain in detail this idea to help such people who are interested in the Third Reich sites in Berlin.
1. The meaning behind this statue-Sculptor Daniell’s and architect Dietrich’s Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
An unfortunately apt symbol of European history is the holocaust memorial, or the memorial to murdered Jews the Europe. This place is situated close to Brandenburg Gate and represents millions of Jewish people, who were killed during the holocaust.
One can wander around the Field of Stelae, which is large amount of concrete pillars of increasing heights providing an excellent opportunity to think and get lost at the same time. The actual memorial site is below and here visitors are welcomed to the Information Centre with more history and accounts of the victims.
2. Topography of Terror
The Topographie des Terrors is an outdoor and indoor museum located on the very site of the former Gestapo and SS headquarters. It gives a coherent broad picture of the terror structure of the Nazi regime. The photographs and documents as well as the descriptions provided in the exhibition provide enough information about severe crimes committed during those periods.
Right next to the exhibition, guests can also observe fragments of the Berlin Wall as well, getting two completely different views of historical Berlin – the one under Nazis and the one divided between two global powers during Cold War.
3. Concentration Camp, Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen is looked for simply outside Berlin, and it was among the first detention camps set up by the Nazis. Today it becomes a concentration camp museum to remember and honor the victims who perished in the camp.
When visiting Sachsenhausen you can see and hear, explore the rebuilt part of the prisoners’ barracks, watchtowers, and memorials of the concentration camp. The camps offer professional tours where you are given detailed information on the daily lives, suffering and freedom of the camp.
4. Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building is today the home of Germany’s Parliament and was scene to several incidents in the Third Reich. The whole architectural structure of the building appears to be fantastic and has been required to be reconstructed with a modern glass dome which has spectacular view over Berlin.
Inside there is a museum that describes the history of the building down to the arson attack in 1933 which the Nazis used for blaming everyone in order to seize power. A visitor can also take a guided tour to learn more of the political histories as well as personalities of the Reichstag.
5. Olympic Stadium
Although it is most famous for hosting the 1936 Olympics for which the Nazis had utilised it, quite prominently, the Berlin Olympic Stadium is also an icon of unique architecture and has historical value.
It also has tour guides where visitor gets to tour around the stadium learning the effect the stadia had in hosting Olympics under the rulership of the Nazi’s. This includes recounting of the events of Jesse Owens, an African-American, who triumphed over the race issue and won four gold medals at the games.
Conclusion
A guided tour through Third Reich sites across Berlin offers a unique way of understanding deeply the history of this city and its consequences due to this terrible period of history. The earlier memorials, museums, and landmarks function as some sort of soft warning towards what happened to the respective nation and it must not be forgotten.
Please remember, when visiting such location, to do so with reverence due to its historical significance, tragedy that occurred. In this way, people recognize the losses and can get useful experience necessary for such tragedies not to occur.