Audio Guide: Third Reich Walking Tour (Self Guided), Berlin

Between the years 1933 and 1945, Germany was governed as a totalitarian state under the rule of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers’ Party-more widely known as the Nazi Party. This era is commonly referred to as the "Third Reich" or "Nazi Germany."

For those visiting Berlin today, the events surrounding the Nazi regime and its surrender that brought World War II to an end remain subjects of solemn fascination.

Our journey begins at the Reichstag, the current seat of the German parliament-Bundestag. Situated along the banks of the River Spree, this storied building has withstood fire, war, division, and reconstruction. In February 1933, just one month after Hitler was appointed Chancellor, the Reichstag was engulfed in flames in an act of arson whose origins remain contested. The Nazis quickly blamed the Communists, using the incident as a pretext to arrest the leaders of the Communist Party of Germany and dismantle political opposition. This event marked a crucial turning point, paving the way for Hitler to consolidate power as Leader and National Chancellor.

From there, make your way to the former site of the Propaganda Ministry, led by Joseph Goebbels, and the Air Force Headquarters under Hermann Goering. The latter-an immense stone structure-was, at the time of its completion, the largest office building in Europe. Commentators have since described its design as an embodiment of “National Socialist intimidation architecture.” Both these institutions were central pillars of the regime, where promotions were swift for party loyalists and favoritism and corruption were woven into daily operations.

Nearby stands a striking juxtaposition: the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, known more commonly as the Holocaust Memorial. Just steps away lies the former location of the Führer's bunker, the underground shelter where Hitler spent his final days before ending his life in April 1945 as Allied forces closed in on the ruined capital. The bunker was destroyed and sealed after the war; today, only a modest information board remains to mark its location.

To conclude your tour, visit the Topography of Terror Museum-built on the grounds of what were once the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS. This powerful institution offers a detailed and sobering account of Nazi crimes, providing context for the events you've encountered on this walk and reflecting on the legacy they have left behind.

Oftentimes, connecting the historical moments with the physical locations where they unfolded can prove very difficult. This self-guided walking tour aims to bridge that gap-offering insight and direction to some of Berlin's most significant sites associated with one of the darkest chapters in human history.