Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, Berlin Travel Guide

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Explore the authentic, preserved Stasi prison in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen and confront the history of political persecution in East Germany.

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Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial

The Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial is a former Stasi prison that stands as a chilling reminder of political persecution in East Germany. Visitors can explore the preserved prison complex, including cells and interrogation rooms, and learn about the experiences of political prisoners through guided tours led by former inmates.

A brief summary to Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial

Genslerstraße 66, Berlin, Lichtenberg, 13055, DE
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Monday 10 am-6 pm
Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
Thursday 10 am-6 pm
Friday 10 am-6 pm
Saturday 10 am-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial.

Book your guided tour in advance, as they are popular and fill up quickly.
Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Allow at least 2-3 hours for your visit to fully experience the memorial.
Consider taking a tour led by a former inmate for a more personal and impactful experience.

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Explore Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From central Berlin, take the Tram M5 to the 'Freienwalder Straße' stop or Tram M6 or 16 to 'Genslerstraße'. From either stop, it's a short walk to the memorial entrance. A single ticket for zones AB costs €3.80.
Taxi

A taxi from Alexanderplatz to the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial will take approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. The estimated cost is €25-€35. Ride-sharing services are also available.
Car

If driving, navigate to Genslerstraße 66, 13055 Berlin. There are numerous car parking spaces in the immediate vicinity. Parking costs vary, but expect to pay around €3-5 per hour. There are designated parking spaces for disabled visitors directly in front of the entrance.

Discover more about Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial

The Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial is located on the site of the main political prison of the former East German Communist Ministry of State Security, the Stasi. From 1951 to 1989, thousands of political prisoners were incarcerated here, including many well-known GDR opponents. The prison was in a restricted military area, hermetically sealed from the outside world and not even marked on East German city maps.The site has a long history, beginning as an industrial kitchen before becoming a Soviet special camp at the end of World War II. In 1946, it became the central Soviet prison for East Germany. The Stasi took over in 1951, expanding the prison in 1961 and using it until 1989 as a central custodial prison. After die Wende in 1989, the prison officially closed on October 3, 1990. It was opened as a memorial in 1994.Today, the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial serves as a reminder of political persecution in the Soviet-occupied zone and the GDR. Visitors can take guided tours led by former political prisoners, who share their personal stories of imprisonment and interrogation. The memorial also features a permanent exhibition with photos, documents, and objects that explore the reality of life for prisoners in the Stasi prison.