Germany: A look at the Nazi Victims Memorial - Köln
Based at the old headquarters of the Gestapo/secret police is the NS-Documentation Centre, a place that acts as both a memorial for victims of the Nazi regime and a documentation centre with a large collection of documents and items that shed light on the history of Köln during the that time.
I was stunned by the amount of information available and how in-depth the audio tour was, it was interesting, infuriating and upsetting; when you learn and understand just what the victims endured, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. You’re taught about the Nazi era in school, you hear people talk about it and reference it from time to time, but, nothing can really prepare you for seeing that bit of history up close and personal.
The Gestapo prison became a memorial site in December 1981 and is very well preserved. I advise you to mentally prepare yourself for a chilling look into the thoughts and feelings of some of the victims, you will see their cries and see their pain, the trauma they endured is inscribed by former prisoners all over the walls of the cells! Over 1800 inscriptions have been preserved.
The cells in the prison were very small, approximately 5 square feet, they were intended for 1-2 people, however, they became very overcrowded with some cells housing up to 33 people! When you visually see just how small the cells were, it's hard to believe 33 people could comfortably fit, they had to remove the beds to make more room. The living conditions were just shocking, the treatment of prisoners even worse.
They would be taken to the toilet just twice a day, any other bowel relief had to be done in a bucket left in their cells. The hygiene was so poor, the stench could be smelt from the street outside.
The prison was used as a temporary stopping point for prisoners being interrogated, these interrogations included torture. Over 400 prisoners were executed in the courtyard.
One of the things that really hit me hard was the history relating to the children, they were brainwashed into going along with the Nazi regime while they were impressionable. All youth groups were forced to unite with the National Socilism’s ‘Hitler Youth’ or disband.
I was happy to see many stood their ground, thousands joining a rogue organisation in rebellion of the regime. The youth in Köln apart of this rebellion, were referred to as Navajos; they were young boys and girls aged between 14 and 18, a group part of a larger youth rebellion known as the Edelweiss Pirates.
You can watch the film Edelweiss Pirates, on Amazon Prime. Click here for viewing options. The film is in German, but English subtitles are available.
The Navajos were punished for simple things like hiking together in large groups.
Another shocking piece of information is the role the protestant church had the play, the leaders gave permission for their youth to become part of the Hilter Youth group. I don't know if this was out of fear, or if the church believed in the Hitler regime.
There is so much information and history to be learned at the NS-Documentation Centre, I highly recommend a visit if you are in Köln.
USEFUL INFORMATION
NS-Documentation Centre:
Opening times: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-6:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm | Closed Mondays, Every 1st Thursday of each month 10:00am to 10:00pm
Expect to spend about 4 hours at the museum
Mentally prepare yourself before going
Entry fee €4.50 per person, children under 6 are free
Audio guides are €2 available in English, French, Spanish, Polish, Russian and German
The closest train station is Hauptbahnhof approximately 10 minute walk away