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Gedenkstätte Bernburg: Remembering the Victims of Nazi Euthanasia
A sobering memorial at the site of the former Bernburg Euthanasia Centre, commemorating the victims of Nazi Germany's 'euthanasia' program.
The Gedenkstätte Bernburg, located in the former Bernburg Euthanasia Centre, commemorates the over 14,000 people murdered here during the Nazi regime. It serves as a place of remembrance and education, documenting the atrocities committed against those deemed 'unworthy of life'.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Gedenkstätte Bernburg
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
c/o Fachklinikum Bernburg, Olga-Benario-Straße 16/18, Bernburg, 06406, DE
Tuesday
9 am-4 pm
Wednesday
9 am-4 pm
Thursday
9 am-4 pm
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Getting There
Public Transport
From Bernburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station), take bus lines 113 or 114 towards Fachklinikum Bernburg. Get off at the 'Bernburg, Klinikum' stop, which is directly in front of the hospital grounds where the memorial is located. The bus ride takes approximately 10-15 minutes. A single bus fare is around €2-3. Check local transport websites for the most up-to-date schedules and fares.
Walking
From the center of Bernburg (e.g., Karlsplatz), head east on Kustrenaer Straße, which becomes Olga-Benario-Straße. Follow Olga-Benario-Straße for approximately 2 km. The Fachklinikum Bernburg, where the Gedenkstätte is located, will be on your right. The walk takes approximately 25-30 minutes. There are sidewalks along the route.
Taxi
Taxis are available in Bernburg. A taxi ride from the Bernburg train station or city center to the Gedenkstätte Bernburg (located at the Fachklinikum Bernburg, Olga-Benario-Straße 16/18) typically costs around €10-€15, depending on traffic. Several taxi companies operate in Bernburg, including Wilfried Altzschner and Taxibetrieb Teichert Karsten.
Parking
If arriving by car, parking is available at or near the Fachklinikum Bernburg. Limited parking may be available directly at the clinic. Additional parking options include the Karlsplatz Tiefgarage (underground parking) in the city center, a 25-30 minute walk. Parking fees at Karlsplatz Tiefgarage are around €0.50 for 30 minutes, €1 for 1 hour, with a daily maximum of €9. The Parkhaus Buschweg is another option.
Local tips
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The Gedenkstätte is located on the grounds of a working hospital; please be respectful of patients and staff.
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Photography and filming are prohibited on the grounds of the Fachklinikum to protect patient privacy.
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The memorial is closed on public holidays.
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Consider booking a guided tour in advance to gain a deeper understanding of the site's history and significance.
Discover more about Gedenkstätte Bernburg
The Gedenkstätte Bernburg stands as a chilling reminder of the Nazi regime's systematic extermination of individuals with disabilities and concentration camp prisoners. From 1940 to 1943, the site operated as one of six central 'euthanasia' centers in Germany, where over 14,000 people were murdered.
The memorial is located within the grounds of the Fachklinikum Bernburg (Bernburg Specialist Clinic). Visitors can explore the remaining structures of the former killing facility, including the gas chamber and crematorium. The grounds also feature a permanent exhibition opened in 2018, which meticulously documents the history of the euthanasia program, the implementation of the killings in Bernburg, and the aftermath, including how perpetrators were dealt with.
The site's history is divided into phases. In 1875, the site was opened as the 'Herzogliche Landes-Heil- und Pflegeanstalt für Geisteskranke zu Bernburg' (Ducal State Healing and Care Facility for the Mentally Ill). With the rise of the Nazi party, the facility's function changed drastically. The 'Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring,' passed in 1933, led to forced sterilizations. From 1940, parts of the hospital were used as a euthanasia center, until the SS dissolved it in May and June 1943.
The Gedenkstätte Bernburg offers guided tours, educational projects for students, and teacher training. The on-site library and archive provide further resources for research and learning. The memorial aims to educate visitors about the dangers of eugenics, discrimination, and the importance of respecting the dignity of all human beings.
A brief summary to Gedenkstätte Bernburg
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