You will definitely not miss this important memorial called Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas or “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe” when translated in English. This massive memorial consists of 2,711 grey stones located between Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz.
Why did the Germans build this memorial?
Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas is a symbol that the Germans have come to terms with its Nazi past. It is more appropriate that it was built in Berlin because it is the capital city where Adolf Hitler established his government.
Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas is designed by Peter Eisenman. If you are a first time visitor you will just see a vast grid of concrete pillars, which seems to be sinking into the earth. However, when you are looking at it for a longer time and when you walk between the pillars, you will definitely feel a certain atmosphere. It conveys the horrors that the Jews have suffered during World War 2. Many people see the memorial as a powerful tool of abstraction since there is nothing sentimental about it although it was able to express what it was built for.
More about Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas
The memorial is approximately five and a half acres and is located in the center of Berlin. Coincidentally, it is just a few hundred yards away from where Hitler’s bunker lies.
Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas also showcases an exhibition that is divided into four rooms. These are dedicated to personal aspects of the tragedy such as the letters thrown from the trains that transported them to the death camps.
When the Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas is being constructed, many Germans are against the idea because it shall be costing a lot of money. They said that it is better to provide free rides for people to be taken to concentration camps. However, this memorial has already proven its relevance among the historical architecture in Berlin. Tourists shall not be able to ignore the bad things that have happened during the reign of Hitler.
If you are visiting Berlin, don’t miss seeing the Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas. You can even visit the free information center that is open daily except Mondays.
However, you must be reminded that they are very strict in Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas. A visitor is not allowed to smoke within them or to stand on the stones.