NS Documentation Center (EL-DE Haus)

Birding Juno★★★★★★★★★★4.04 months ago

Student ticket €2, Audio guide €2. The exhibition layout is quite modern and novel. You can scan QR codes for more info, and the website even has interactive quizzes. My only regret is that the exhibition text itself isn't in English. Although there is an English audio guide, if you zone out for a second, it’s hard to catch up. To be honest, I didn't know much about this part of history—I didn't even know what the Gestapo was until I arrived here. The lack of English text made it a bit harder for me to fully grasp the context at first, so I didn't feel the pain I expected immediately. However, that changed completely when I went down to the basement levels. Seeing the actual prison cells and the writing left by victims on the walls gave me chills. It was hauntingly real. A huge surprise: The restrooms are well-equipped and even provide sanitary pads! I suspect a thoughtful female staff member left them there. I actually needed one because my period just started, and this literally saved me! Thank you so much for this kindness!!!

Louise Maine★★★★★★★★★★5.06 months ago

Amazing place. Definitely pay for the audio guide. It walks through the rise of Nazism and the different groups affected including those who lived through the bombing of Cologne. The brutality of marginalized groups and those brought as workers during the war are well detailed. I found it very emotional and then going to the basement where the actual prison was and the writings in the wall was even more heart wrenching. It is well thought out and the starkness of the facility adds to the story.

Cihan E.★★★★★★★★★★5.07 months ago

One of the most striking, yet most important places to visit in Cologne, in my opinion. The fact that the former Gestapo headquarters and the basement cells have been turned into a place of remembrance and education makes you feel the weight of the place with every step. The writings on the walls, the photographs and the detailed exhibitions don’t just provide historical information; they also leave a lump in your throat. It’s not an easy visit, but definitely one of those that has to be made – a place I believe everyone coming to Cologne should make time for.

Dylan Lee★★★★★★★★★★4.0a month ago

This is a really interesting museum with a lot of history behind it. It gives you a really good background on how the building was used during the second world war. Each floor had its own section, and then there is some war-time jail cells in the basement, which was both harrowing to look at and very sad to see, how people were held in such conditions. For tourists, I would highly recommend purchasing the audio guide, there is no English translation for many of the exhibits.

Sassenach David★★★★★★★★★★4.06 months ago

A museum like this is here to educate, and I came away having learnt things I didn't previously know. You may think you know about the war, Nazis, and the horrors of the time, but I'll be surprised if you don't learn something new too. That's because there is so much information here - exhibits, photos and accounts. All the panels (with the exception of those in the basement) are in German, so if you don't speak the language spend €2 extra and get the audio device. You input the number on the display, hold the device to your ear, and voilà. As you can imagine, there's some very moving stories of those who ended up in the Gestapo HQ. With the current rise of right-wing elements in Europe, and anti-immigrant sentiments, regardless of your views or politics, places like this make you hold up a mirror to yourself, and that is no bad thing.