Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial is situated in the middle of Germany’s capital, Berlin: a memorial dedicated to the history of the country. This is not a tunnel as the typical tourist site; rather it is quite a poignant bildungsroman of the brutal days of the GDR especially the Hohenschenhausen prison.
Hohenschönhausen’s Early History
The original GDR prison was constructed in 1947 by the Soviet occupying power after the Second World War. At first it was planned for ‘’ordinary’ criminals; later, its function shifted to something entirely different. In License to kill, research is conducted to reveal that in 1951 the GDR transformed Hohenschönhausen into a political penitentiary where anybody, whom the authorities considered dangerous to the socialist state or the party, was subjected to brutal and disgraceful interrogation and detention.
A House of Horrors
Now, few witnesses accompanying the visitors can tell about the human rights violations that took place during the years of GDR. When you enter the complex of gray buildings, which were operating as a prison, you would get the feeling of the epoch of fear and persecution. The audience is allowed to wander around the numerous rooms and corridors in which numerous people tormented. Former jail cells, barracks, and interrogation rooms are a few of the places recalling grim stories in this memorial.
The Interrogation Rooms
Among all the facilities that are exhibited in the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, forbidding interrogation rooms are the most striking. These rooms were specifically intended to disorient prisoners mentally, utilizing torment, another prisoner and oppressive depression. If you ever get a chance to walk into any of these rooms, you will be shocked at the coldness and vacant feeling that pervade the area.
In addition, it should be mentioned that the people who explain the details of the memorial to the viewers are the former inmates themselves. Their own experience gives them a clue of what was going on inside those interrogation rooms so their feelings make the reading all the more personal.
The Cells
The Ghettos in Hohenschönhausen were beyond any description; and the living conditions were unimagined, which had no amenities to speak of. Most prisoners spent their time in isolation, having limited or no contact with people or the outside world for some time not less than a year. The memorial consists in demonstrating various types of cells; people can actually feel how hopeless situation of the inmates was.
Such are the narrow and the dark passages through which it is impossible not to feel an element of hopelessness. This emptiness and silence speaks so loudly; of the suffering that men and women went through and the strength that lives in all of us.
The Importance of Remembering
Hohenschönhausen is an important place in German history, even though its visit gives quite a creepy feeling. Thus, Germans keep the negative experience of their country’s history alive and this fact helps people remember the cruelty of the GDR regime, its violation of human rights, as well as prevent such histories in the future.
It also serves as an important informative point of the visitors for the methods of suppression and control as applied by GDR. Thus, knowing these tactics, visitor becomes more aware of what they no longer must fear when they now living in the country.
Planning Your Visit
However, there are a number of things that require your attention in case you are planning a visit the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial. First and foremost, expect lots of feelings – most of them intense, and all of them real. The tales and places you will come across are positively spooky and will leave you with a creeped out feeling.
Secondly, recall, this memorial is not appropriate for children under the age of six because of the material discussed. Before visitation think about the emotional development of fellow companions.
And finally, it is necessary to note that it is possible to visit the museum only by prior appointment. The Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial offers guided tours around the place, and rooms get booked soon early on busy tourist seasons. Making a booking prior is wise so as not to miss out on this informative and heart wrenching tour.
Final Thoughts
Berlin-GDR Memorial is the permanent place for people as a sign of the desire for Freedom, as well as remembering the crimes of the GDR time. Through the facilitated visit of the rooms and spaces of this former prison, such compelling considerations of German History and the observance of human rights are given.
Of course, it can be a rather depressing and disheartening tourism, but a trip to Berlin- Hohenschenhausen Memorial is a good step towards recognizing history and making sure it doesn’t happen again.
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