Mahn und Gedenkstätte (Memorial and Education Centre), Dusseldorf

The Dusseldorf Memorial and Education Centre (Mahn und Gedenkstatte) serves as a solemn reminder of the atrocities committed during the Nazi era, particularly against Jewish, Sinti, Roma, and communist populations. Originally established in a former prison, the center took its current form in 1987 as a cultural institution of the city of Dusseldorf. Located in the historic town hall, the building’s history is intertwined with its function during the Nazi era, having housed the Gestapo and other authorities complicit in persecution, forced labor organizations, and the execution of oppressive policies.

Today, the center operates as both a museum and a research hub, housing extensive archives and a specialized library with over 8,000 volumes on National Socialist history. It features rotating temporary exhibitions and a significant permanent display on "Persecution and Resistance in Dusseldorf 1933–1945," which examines the roles of various social groups, including political dissidents, religious minorities, and marginalized communities, under the Nazi regime. These exhibitions are set within the building's original cells, which add a visceral dimension to the visitor experience.

Since its renovation in 2015, the center has included exhibits on the impact of Nazism on children and youth, showcasing artifacts such as a metal photograph album and numerous personal photographs. The Memorial Center also plays a vital role in commemorative events, educational outreach, and city tours, organizing ceremonies like those on November 9th to honor the victims of National Socialism. In 2011, it inaugurated the “Path of Liberation” project and contributed to the creation of a central memorial at the former Derendorf freight station, marking the deportation of Jews from the region between 1941 and 1945. With up to 30,000 visitors annually, the Dusseldorf Memorial remains an essential site for remembrance and education, ensuring that the stories of those affected by Nazi tyranny endure.