Travelers to Germany often feel the need to pay tribute to the darkest period in German history. A visit to one of Germany’s many memorial sites can be the most important part of any trip to the country.
We’ve detailed some of the most important Holocaust memorials across the country, including former concentration camps like Dachau (outside Munich) and Sachsenhausen (near Berlin). You must visit one of these souvenir sites during your trip. But you may still be confused about what exactly a visit to one of Germany’s Holocaust memorials looks like.
Remembering the Holocaust in Germany has always been a contentious topic. Berlin’s largest monument, the Monument to the Murdered Jews of Europe, took 17 years of planning and two design competitions to decide its format. And even now it is controversial. Remembering such a huge, changing and devastating event is not an easy task.
But if you go to a memorial site in the right spirit of solemnity and deference, you can’t go wrong. Here are some things to keep in mind and activities to avoid. Here’s the guide on how to be respectful at the German Holocaust Monuments.
Take photos of Germany’s Holocaust memorials
Most sites accept photos. Pay attention to signs that flash photography is prohibited or when photos are not allowed. As a guide, photos outside are almost always allowed, while photos inside museums are generally not.
With that said, think about how you compose your photos. Is this the place for peace signs, selfies, and bunny ears? Definitely not. While some people can’t resist taking photos of themselves wherever they go, try to avoid using these sites as the fashionable backdrop for a photo shoot of you. It’s about the site.
One of the reasons photos are allowed is to reinforce the importance of this event and to tell the stories of those directly affected by the Holocaust. Respect the space, remember it and share your images. (Photo, film and television recordings for commercial purposes require written permission. Check with the site beforehand for individual requirements).
Touching Germany’s Holocaust Memorials
So we’ve established that you can photograph it, but can you touch it? It should be clear that the buildings of the former concentration camps are historical buildings, sometimes in a fragile state, and must be preserved. Some visitors like to pay tributes at memorial sites, such as flowers or candles on the train tracks or at the crematorium, but this is not recommended as it makes you walk through these delicate structures. Again, signs generally designate if you are not allowed to touch, but as a general rule, you should avoid touching / manipulating / operating any historic buildings or objects in order to preserve and remember them.
This is a bit trickier on newer, seemingly unbreakable structures. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin has the Field of Stelae, which is made up of 2,711 concrete pillars. They are solid and infinitely photogenic. Its location between some of the most important sites in the city, from Brandenburger Tor to Tiergarten and Potsdamer Platz, asks people to sit on the lowest stones and rest.
In fact, designer Peter Eisenman envisioned this as a place for life to happen. I wanted the children to run between the pillars and for people to touch the stones. Its design intends this to be less of a sacred place and more of a living monument. But I doubt I could have imagined the Pokémon Go phenomenon that had figures found in the nearby Monument to the Sinti and Roma Victims of National Socialism (another mouthful). Perhaps he would agree with that too.
That said, the lack of respect from some people has caused complaints. Visitors jumping between the stones and taking insensitive photos as if it were a playground inspired the art project of an Israeli satirist, Yolocaust. The artist, Shahak Shapira, took bland photos that people posted on social media of themselves at Germany’s memorials and edited them to include gruesome backgrounds to real-life scenes from the Holocaust. No selfie looks pretty to a death camp scene.
The campaign took off and many visitors were mortified to find their photos on their website of embarrassment. This inappropriate behavior has resulted in increased vigilance. Contrary to Mr. Eisenman’s wishes, security guards now roam the perimeter of the Berlin memorial, imposing respectful conditions. For example,
- The trail field can only be entered slowly and on foot
- Keep your voice low and avoid loud noises.
- Visitors are instructed not to jump between rocks or play sports on the ground.
- Dogs and other pets are not allowed.
- Smoking and alcohol are not allowed.
What to Wear for Germany’s Holocaust Memorials
Note that many of these sites are outdoors and weather conditions can change quickly in Germany, so you should dress in layers. Whether it’s umbrella time or sunscreen time (often all in one day), you need to come prepared. And just as taking a bland photograph is not widely appreciated, complaining about the cold while reading about the thousands of prisoners who literally frozen to death is a bad idea.
At the Berlin Memorial to the Murdered Jews, many visitors have recognized that the flagstones are great for sunbathing. Don’t end up in the Yolocaust by appearing scantily clad at the monument and basking in the sun. The Tiergarten is literally right next door and offers many wide green expanses where no clothing is required.
This may not be the day to wear your hilarious “I’m with stupid” shirt or profanity-covered hat. There is no need to dress like you are going to a funeral, but do the comedy on the day of your visit and try to choose something respectful.
Eating at Germany’s Holocaust memorials
Even we are guilty of this. We planned a visit to the memorial site in Sachsenhausen, and knowing there wouldn’t be many food options, we stopped at a deli beforehand and eagerly chose tasty meats, cheeses, and rolls.
After walking around the site for about an hour, we ate our lunch… but the long-awaited delicacies didn’t seem so tasty anymore. We guiltily nibbled on our lunch and hid the remains in our backpack to finish elsewhere.
In the years since that visit, the policy has been formalized and you can no longer eat or smoke inside the memorial site. Drinking alcohol is also clearly not allowed. This is the case with most Holocaust memorials in Germany.
Age limits on German Holocaust memorials
While anyone should be able to get something out of a visit to Germany’s Holocaust memorials, tours may not be suitable for children under the age of 10. This is generally visitor dependent and is not regulated by the memorial site, so get to know your child and use your best judgment.
Is there a memorial in Germany not to visit?
Germany has been careful to avoid making significant sites for the pilgrimage points of the National Socialists (Nazis); especially since the recent success of the AFD party exemplifies an increase in far-right politics. It is up to each visitor to decide if they want to visit it.
You might be surprised to find that Hitler’s Bunker, a short walk from the Berlin Memorial to the Murdered Jews, is barely marked with a banner placed in 2006. Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest is equally discreet under its German name, Kehlsteinhaus. . The Bavarian State took over the administration of this site in 1960 and opened it to the public with all proceeds donated to charity.
How to Show Your Appreciation at Germany’s Holocaust Memorials
Most Holocaust memorials in Germany offer free admission for anyone to visit. That said, it costs money to run and run these sites. If you visit a site, please donate. There are usually coin collections around the visitor center.
