Documentation Centre Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Nuremberg

...of understanding in establishing the Documentation Centre of the Nazi Party Grounds.

The museum has been installed in the unfinished remains of the north wing of the Congress Hall of the former Nazi Party rallies. Much of the surrounding park was once part of the Nazis parade grounds and buildings but have been destroyed, filled in and turned into the green area that it currently is. Apparently this was due to fears that the area could ...
...the people of the town could enjoy again such a large area of ground rather than having it always hanging over them. Only a few things such as the Congress Hall remain to give an idea of the scale the Nazi party thought on. Still the size of the area gives an idea of the scale of Nazi power-lust. I believe the museum is important because it concentrates on a different perspective on Nazi history than the commemoration of the many victims. Whilst ... more

For many people Nuremberg will always be associated with the Nazis and that period of German history due to its significance as the site of the Nazi party conferences and rallies and the famous Nuremberg laws specially ordered by Hitler to be deliberated and issued from this town. The allies then famously held the post-war trials here. The town has a far longer history than simply this rather dark period (its historical prominence was actually an important factor in Hitler picking the city) but acknowledges the importance of understanding in establishing the Documentation Centre of the Nazi Party Grounds.

The museum has been installed in the unfinished remains of the north wing of the Congress Hall of the former Nazi Party rallies. Much of the surrounding park was once part of the Nazis parade grounds and buildings but have been destroyed, filled in and turned into the green area that it currently is. Apparently this was due to fears that the area could become a pilgrimage site for neo-Nazis and also so that the people of the town could enjoy again such a large area of ground rather than having it always hanging over them. Only a few things such as the Congress Hall remain to give an idea of the scale the Nazi party thought on. Still the size of the area gives an idea of the scale of Nazi power-lust. I believe the museum is important because it concentrates on a different perspective on Nazi history than the commemoration of the many victims. Whilst these are undoubtedly vital this museum gives a far broader picture of the regime and shows how it could come to power and be allowed to do what it did. It also touches on with how humanity has to deal with the aftermath.

The entrance of the Centre is through a runway of steel and glass, a structure that is very modern but imposing in keeping with the overblown tone of Nazi buildings. Inside is largely undecorated with stainless steel constructions and muted colours throughout. This sombre tone continues throughout the exhibits but whilst not uplifting it is smooth design in keeping with the serious nature of the museum. None of the focus of the visitor is taken away from the information the museum was designed to contain.

After entering and paying the entrance fee (see end) visitors are pointed up the steel staircase to the permanent exhibit 'Fascination and Terror'. The museum is designed with one passageway that winds through the chronologically ordered information display from the very start of the Nazis through to the Nuremberg trials and beyond. As you would expect there is a special focus on the period of the rallies in Nuremberg itself. I believe the museum is extremely well designed and it is impossible to get lost, or get out of sequence as you are funnelled forward in a wide but single passage.

I believe that I have above average knowledge of the rise of the Nazis in Germany, their time in power and the post-war trials yet I found the museum a mine of information. It by far covers the party in the most detail I have ever seen and has many interesting details as well as analysis of how a party such as this can come to power and sustain it. At the same time there are no large blocks of writing, everything is presented in easy to understand chunks with plenty of interesting visual exhibits and aids so that anyone can enjoy and learn from the museum. There are also interactive computers and TVs which allow you to get involved and explore the world the Nazis created here. As part of the entrance fee the visitor is given an audio guide (in the language of their choice-most European and larger world languages) which is extremely easy to use. You simply punch in a number that is very obviously displayed on each small section. This way you can get more information on areas of your choice or pass over those which hold less interest for you.

I was under the impression that this would be quite a small centre and so arrived just before 5pm giving myself just an hour to get around the whole thing. I could easily have spent 2 hours and 3 would have made it a leisurely trip-as it was I rushed through the museum particularly the end parts. I would advise giving yourself at least a couple of hours to enjoy and absorb everything that is here.

The end of the timeline that propels you through Nazi history comes out onto a walkway that takes the visitor into the centre of the uncompleted Congress which towers above you

A small cafe has drinks and a small selection of cakes and sandwiches and a shop provides opportunity to buy postcards and books/DVDs on the subject. Apart from the permanent exhibition there are sometimes other displays on the Nazi period, particularly their activities in Nuremberg.

Overall this is a very important museum that helps people to understand the history of this area and of how such a group can come to take power. Rather than trying to hide any information it confronts the visitor with it without censorship and in doing so hopefully makes a small step to preventing it happening again. This is an extremely detailed and interesting museum that is simultaneously fascinating and horrifying-I would recommend that everyone goes to see it.

Practical Information:

Opening hours: mon-fri 9am-6pm, sat/sun 10am-6pm. Last admission 5pm

Cost: 5 euro adult, 2,50 concessions. The ticket includes admission to any other municipal museum too.

Transport: From town centre take the no. 9 tram or bus nos. 36, 55 or 65 to the Doku-Zentrum stop. Address: 110 Bayernstrasse.

Probably not suitable for younger children as there are images of concentration and extermination camps and of the dead bodies of those hung following the Nuremberg trials.

Originally on dooyoo. 

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