Topography of Terror
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Topography of Terror - by Stiftung Topographie des Terrors (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Description
The Topography of Terror is on Niederkirchnerstrasse in Berlin where the headquarters of the Gestapo, the high command and security service of the SS and the Reich Security Main Office, were located before 1945. It is a documentation centre with three permanent exhibitions: the first one focuses of the SS and police and their crimes, the second one looks at Berlin's role under the Third Reich and the last one centres on the site's use during the Nazi period and the post-war era.
Access & Transport
Address: Niederkirchnerstraße 8 Anhalter (S1, S2, S25, S26) is the closest S-bahn station (5' walk) but Potsdamer Platz (U2) and Kochstraße (U6) stations are also good options. There are bus stops nearby on Stresemannstraße and Wilhelmstraße.
Instructions & Recommendations
Bear in mind the content when assessing age-appropriateness. The activity can be combined with a visit of Checkpoint Charlie and associated museum or any attraction near Potsdamer Platz such as the German Spy Museum.
Environmental & Social
We deem this activity environmentally neutral. Socially positive as it helps preserve historical data and convey lessons to be drawn from it to visitors.
Conclusion
The Topography of Terror is a documentation centre or memorial rather than a museum. It does an excellent job of explaining and illustrating some of the key policing and intelligence organs of the Nazi war machine and the unchecked savagery of their methods. An interesting aspect is the description of the institutionalized rise of terror, probably the most important lesson to be learned in the current geopolitical climate and the rise of populist politicians.
Key positive
Very comprehensive and dealing professionally with a sensitive topic
Key negative
Not much new content from what is freely available online (but that isn't the objective)
Suitability
Best for adults and children aged 12 and above. Most of the sections are accessible for visitors with reduced mobility.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 35m
est. visit time:2h
Monday10:00 - 20:00
Tuesday10:00 - 20:00
Wednesday10:00 - 20:00
Thursday10:00 - 20:00
Friday10:00 - 20:00
Saturday10:00 - 20:00
Sunday10:00 - 20:00