Kazerne Dossin: Memorial, Museum and Documentation Centre on Holocaust and Human Rights
A place of remembrance and reflection on the Holocaust and human rights, located at the site of the former Dossin Barracks in Mechelen, Belgium.
Kazerne Dossin stands as a poignant reminder of the Holocaust in Belgium. From 1942 to 1944, the Dossin Barracks served as a transit camp where over 25,000 Jews and Roma were gathered and deported to concentration camps like Auschwitz-Birkenau. The museum and memorial complex comprises both the original barracks and a modern museum building across the square. The Memorial, located within a portion of the original barracks, offers a space for contemplation and remembrance. Visitors can see artifacts belonging to deportees, view a sculpture symbolizing disappearance, and listen to the names of the victims being read aloud. The museum, housed in a striking modern building, provides historical context, examining the rise of extremism, antisemitism, and the mechanics of persecution. It also explores contemporary issues of human rights and discrimination, encouraging reflection on how such atrocities can be prevented in the future. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the history of the Holocaust in Belgium and Northern France, with each floor dedicated to a specific theme. The museum also features a Wall of Faces, displaying portraits of over 19,000 of the deportees. The fourth floor offers panoramic views of Mechelen and the former barracks.
Local tips
- Allow ample time for your visit; plan for at least 3-4 hours to fully experience both the Memorial and the Museum.
- Consider taking a guided tour of the Memorial to gain deeper insights into the history and personal stories of the deportees.
- The museum's exhibits can be emotionally challenging; be prepared for a somber and thought-provoking experience.
- Check the Kazerne Dossin website for temporary exhibitions and special events that may be of interest.
- The museum is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities, including wheelchair-accessible toilets and available wheelchairs.
A brief summary to Kazerne Dossin – Memorial
- Goswin de Stassartstraat 153, Mechelen, Arrondissement of Mechelen, 2800, BE
- +3215290660
- Visit website
- Monday 9 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
- Thursday 9 am-5 pm
- Friday 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday 9:30 am-5 pm
- Sunday 9:30 am-5 pm
Getting There
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Public Transport
Kazerne Dossin is easily accessible by public transport. From Mechelen Station, take bus lines 2, 5, 500, or 508 and disembark at the Kazerne Dossin stop, which is next to the museum on Edgard Tinellaan. Buses depart approximately every 15 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, and every 30 minutes on Sundays. A single ticket costs approximately €2.50.
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Walking
Kazerne Dossin is approximately a 25-minute walk from Mechelen Station. Exit the station in the direction of the city center and follow the H. Consciencestraat until you reach the Grote Markt. Cross the Grote Markt diagonally and take the Scheerstraat, then turn right onto Nieuwkerk and Wollemarkt to reach Goswin de Stassartstraat. The museum will be on your right.
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Car
If arriving by car, take Exit 9 (Mechelen-Noord) on the E19 and follow the N16 towards Heist-op-den-Berg/Lier. Follow the P-route to Parking Tinel, located a short walk from the museum. Parking Tinel is located at Edgard Tinellaan 6. Alternatively, parking is available at Parking Keerdok and Parking Grote Markt. Parking rates vary, but expect to pay around €18 per day. Be aware that parking near the museum is limited.
