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The Topography of Terror in Berlin and its History

Updated: Sep 20


Topography of Terror, Rasande Tyskar, Flickr

 

Origins of Terror: The Rise of the Nazi Regime


The roots of the Topography of Terror lie in the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany during the 1930s. In 1933, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party assumed power, swiftly implementing policies that would systematically suppress and persecute various groups within society. The site on which the Topography of Terror stands today was once occupied by the SS and Gestapo headquarters, the central institutions responsible for enforcing Nazi terror.


Following their rise to power, the Nazis commissioned the construction of the SS and Gestapo headquarters, aiming to consolidate their control and tighten their grip on society. And at the start of the War in 1939 the organization of these two headquarters came to change. The Security Police – Gestapo and Criminal Police – were combined with the Security Service of the SS into the Reich Main Security Office (RSHA) a unified state police with under the NSDAP (Nazi Party) was developed. This created authority with even more extensive powers. especially in realizing its racist ideologies. The head of the RSHA until his assassination in 1942 was Reinhard Heydrich, followed in 1943 by Ernst Kaltenbrunner, an Austrian lawyer.


Gestapo Headquarters, Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R97512, Wikipedia

 

Offices of the RSHA were responsible for the worst crimes humanity has ever witnessed: the deportation and murder of European Jews as well as Sinti and Roma, combating resistance, bureaucracy, and administration of concentration camps, and the surveillance of millions of forced laborers. At the peak of its power in 1944, the RSHA, including its external offices, had about 50,000 employees. More than 31,000 of these were assigned to the Gestapo and almost 13,000 to the Criminal Police. The RSHA headquarters employed about 3,500 staff.

 

Bombing and Post-War


As the Allied forces closed in on Berlin towards the end of World War II, the headquarters suffered extensive damage due to bombings. The destruction marked the end of an era of terror, as the Nazi regime crumbled under the weight of its atrocities. However, the ruins left behind were a poignant reminder of the horrors that occurred on that very spot.


Following the war, the site of the former SS and Gestapo headquarters became a desolate wasteland, with its painful history largely forgotten. The physical remnants of the terror apparatus were gradually removed, and the area transformed into a parking lot in West Berlin contrasted directly with the Berlin Wall. For many years, the atrocities that had unfolded at this location remained buried beneath the surface of Berlin's urban landscape.

 

Rediscovery and Creation of the Topography of Terror


In the 1987, a groundbreaking outdoor temporary exhibition - called the "Topography of Terror" - was organized at the site of the former headquarters, reigniting public interest in the history of Nazi terror. The massive notarity and Fall of the Berlin Wall, led to the establishment of the Topography of Terror Foundation in 1992, which aimed to make the site a permanent one that would commemorate the victims, educate the public, and ensure that such atrocities would never be forgotten. The foundation worked meticulously to reconstruct the history of the site, researching, collecting documents, and creating exhibitions that shed light on the dark past. opening fully as you can see it today in 2010.

 

Current State: A Site of Remembrance and Education


Today, the Topography of Terror stands as a prominent memorial and educational institution in Berlin. The site comprises a documentation center, an open-air exhibition, and preserved remnants of the original buildings. Through photographs, texts, and artifacts, visitors can gain insight into the mechanics of the Nazi terror machine and the immense suffering it inflicted upon millions of innocent lives. It also offers free group tours with licensed and trained guides.

 

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Alexander La Rocca


Alexander La Rocca has been creating experiences for

visitors to Berlin since 2012 when he began in the tourism industry. Having organized and led thousands of tours, trips, and events, he started his own company.


Whether for large groups or company or team events, he offers his expertise to make a trip to Berlin a memorable experience. Visit him at https://www.yourtripberlin.com/ if you are looking for help organizing your visit to the city!

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