Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Two thousand seven hundred and eleven concrete stelae of uneven height, crossed by losing your way in them.
Duration
45 min – 1 hr 30 min
Best time
Early morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
The memorial, designed by Peter Eisenman and opened in 2005, covers nineteen thousand square metres between the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz. Two thousand seven hundred and eleven concrete stelae, all the same footprint but of different heights, on undulating ground.
The architect refused to supply a reading of it. The effect happens as you walk: as you move towards the centre the ground drops, the stelae rise, the noise of the city dies and you can no longer see anyone. Below, the information centre gives the names.
Getting there
S-Bahn and U-Bahn to Brandenburger Tor, five minutes south on foot. The field of stelae is always open; the information centre has its own hours.
Rules on site
This is a memorial: do not jump from stele to stele or pose for photographs on them. The underground information centre closes on Monday.
Other places in Berlin
East Side GalleryThirteen hundred metres of Wall left standing and painted by a hundred and eighteen artists.
Brandenburg GateThe arch where Germany was split apart and then stitched back together.
Reichstag domeA glass dome above the debating chamber, where you literally walk on top of Parliament.
Museum IslandFive museums on an island in the Spree, including the bust of Nefertiti and the Ishtar Gate.