Have you ever thought what kind of people fought against the Nazis during the Second World War? You can learn a lot about their fight, their losses, and the meaning of the resistance at the German Resistance Memorial Center in Berlin, Germany. In this blog post, I will outline the importance of this memorial center, what to expect when visiting this place, and more importantly why it should be on your check list next time you are in Berlin.
The Role of German Resistance Memorial Center
The German Resistance Memorial Center – Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand in German – is a center that aims to keep alive the memory of those people and organizations that fought against Adolf Hitler and Nazi regime during the Third Reich. This is a message of the power of justice, freedom and human rights this is saying that no matter the odds one has to stand.
The visitors learn about the struggles that the fighters faced within the war and the type of work they did or the dangers they embraced towards shaping history. At the same time, visiting the Memorial Center, visitors should also develop a sense of obscheeendedeniya and remember their individual and collective choices are making an impact of society and it should remain tolerant and fair.
Expectations When You Visit
When you enter the German Resistance Memorial Centre you will be captured in the world of the historical drama. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect during your visit:
1. Exhibitions
The highest concentration of tourists is in the visitors’ centre of the Memorial which allows for the contemplation of the whole history of the resistance movement during the Nazi era. It exhibits items such as weapons and equipments, photographs, letters and belong lamps of these freedom fighters, that helps the visitors to get new insights into these heroes thinking and struggling lives.
Incorporation of technology such as committed display and multimedia are effective methods of learning. Departed mainly from the formation of armed resistance groups, to the courageous acts of subverting the policies by withdrawing and destroying opat equipment and documents and many other individual incidents, the exhibition presents a Multiplicity of resistance strategies engaged bt the fighters.
2. Memorial Courtyard
When entering the Memorial Courtyard the atmosphere that is created is serious and thoughtful. The courtyard is a memorial that has the names of people and organisations that stood for the Nazis and the brave that you stood for.
If you ever happen to stroll in a park and admiring its serenity, just think how much more worse would things be if they did not risk even their own lives to regain human dignity.
3. Memorial Site
In the territory of the present Memorial Center it is placed the Bendlerblock, the site of the failed attempt at Hitler’s assassination. This powerful site also brings out the fact that ultimate price was paid by those who perished or died trying to change the tyrannical regime.
The Bendlerblock contains an exhibition of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the day, July 20th, 1944, when the attempt to murder Hitler was made. One cannot be disappointed by the shooting experience, specially the way visitors can see inside the rooms where these historic events where held and get a feel of how the resistance movement worked and the personnel involved.
Why You Should Visit
Every person who decides to visit the German Resistance Memorial Center is guaranteed a great educational and emotionally powerful walk. Here are a few reasons why you should include it in your Berlin itinerary:
- Historical Significance: This group of people fought the Nazi regime and the Memorial Center has the important mission to testify about these people.
- Educational Experience: The exhibitions are useful in creating important awareness of the many struggles throughout history, and of those that may be not as popularly known.
- Promotion of Courage and Activism: The Memorial Center is aimed at making people react against the injustice and makes people find strength in unity.
- Reflection and Remembrance: It acts as a place where the people can spend a few moments reflecting and showing honor those who fought for a superior world.
A visit to the German Resistance Memorial Center is clearly likely to inspire deep respect for the German nationals who were able to fight the Nazis dictatorship. It is a time to pay respect to their struggle and cultivate from history not to repeat our mistakes in the future.
Therefore, when in Berlin, it is worth to visit the German Resistance Memorial Centre thus learning about the history of struggle against oppression.
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