City: Berlin
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10 History Museums in Berlin That You Shouldn't Miss
Berlin is an edgy city, from its fashion to its architecture to its charged political history. The Berlin Wall is a sobering reminder of the hyper-charged postwar atmosphere, and yet the graffiti art that now covers its remnants has become symbolic of social progress. Check out the Weltzeituhr (world time) Clock, topped by a model of the solar system, then turn back time by dining at the historic Zur Letzten Instanz, a 16th century restaurant that was frequented by Napoleon and Beethoven.
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1. FHXB Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The borough of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is fascinating to more than just history buffs: it is equally interesting for its juxtaposition of cultures and nationalities in a small urban area and for its mesh of different experiences and lifestyles. The Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Museum documents the history of the two boroughs: it emerged from the fusion of the Kreuzberg Museum and the Heimatmuseum Friedrichshain. The museum presents changing exhibitions on local and regional history, usually focusing on current issues and in particular on immigration, industrial development, commercial development and urban development. On the first floor, there is a permanent exhibition on the protest movement and urban regeneration in Kreuzberg SO 36 created by all the stakeholders involved. In the exhibition "Ortsgespräche" ("Local Calls"), Kreuzbergers and Friedrichshainers tell their personal stories on-site in the borough.
2. Museum Reinickendorf
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
3. Neue Wache
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 674 reviews
This guardhouse, built in Neoclassical style, was a center for East German soldiers during the Cold War and now serves as a memorial for war victims.
Reviewed By headbeeguy - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
A very simple and sombre War Memorial serving as an oasis of calm and reflection along Unter den Linden. The Kathe Kollwitz sculpture is starkly situated in the light and can be viewed up close. A mother cradling her dead son lost to war. It is very humbling and moving to see and it made me want to seek out more of her work.
4. Palace of Tears
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,057 reviews
Our exhibition “Site of German Division” at this historical site shows how the division of Germany and the construction of the Berlin Wall came about. It also explains how the customs and passport checkpoint functioned at the Tränenpalast and outlines the surveillance system in place at the Friedrichstrasse border crossing. In the Tränenpalast itself, visitors can experience the checkpoint procedures and actually walk through the original passport control booth. The exhibition focusses on the personal stories of various individuals who lived through the ordeals of divided Germany. Contemporary witnesses describe in interviews how they escaped from Communist East Germany and how they kept in contact with their families on the other side by sending letters or parcels. They also narrate how they smuggled documents and secret photographs across the border or protested against the travel ban in Communist East Germany.
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
Berlin has many terrific attractions which are totally free, and this is one of them. This small museum isn't that famous as Checkpoint Charlie, which meanwhile became a real tourist spot, too commercialized and a must have selfie or Instagram spot. Contrary to that, the Palace of Tears kept its low profile and attracts fewer people, but mostly those more interested in history and that era life. That's why I prefer it. Both of the above had the same purpose - they were checkpoints and border crossings between east and west Berlin. Palace of Tears museum, or the Tranenpalast in German, is situated in the very center of Berlin, just beside the Friedrichstrasse station - one of capitals main transportation hubs with several U and S Bahn lines. The entire Friedrichstr. station was in east Berlin, but unlogically as many other things these days, some U and S lines were only accessible from the west side because of the wall passing right there, so the easterners built this checkpoint. It was used only for westbound travels where they thoroughly inspected everyone. The museum is pretty small, yet very nice displayed and curated. Apart from personal items displayed, you can learn about the crossing process, see the passport control booth and also learn about spy and smuggling activities there. Those days checkpoint and todays museum derives its name being a witness to many painful farewells ending in tears when lovers and families were separated, not knowing when they're going to meet again.
5. Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 713 reviews
The site where Nazi meetings took place is now a haunting memorial to their victims.
Reviewed By 640alasdairm - Renfrew, United Kingdom
My son and I took the train from the city centre to Wannsee and had a very enjoyable journey. The buses and trams were on strike but the walk from the train station to the house is about 30mins and quite enjoyable. The houses and area here are quite attractive and quiet. The conference house is a very lovely house with well tended gardens. The information in the house is extensive and shows the history of antisemitism in Europe from the early ages through the Nazi regime. Most of the history covers the Nazi Regime but there is a lot of good information from the post-WW1 era. The documents from the actual conference are eye-opening and being in the room it all took place is quite thought provoking. It may be a bit away from the city centre but really worth the effort!
6. The Kennedys
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
7. Gedenkstaette Stille Helden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By 540sherryf - New York City, United States
In these dark times, don’t miss a chance to honor ordinary people who found it within themselves to do extraordinary things. The housekeeper who didn’t hesitate to hide her employers for a day or a week. The Christian teacher who smuggled food to former students. The former art student who used his talent to forge documents that saved lives. The army officers who risked their lives trying to stop Hitler. Each one was and is a candle in the darkness. Young and old. Men and women. They refused to look away.
8. The Nazi Forced Labour Documentation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
The last well-preserved former Nazi forced labor camp is located in Schöneweide. In the Second World War it served as one of the more than 3000 collective accommodations dispersed throughout the city for forced labourers. The museum offers two permanent exhibitions: "Forced Labour in the Daily Round 1939-1945" which gives an introduction into the complex topic of civil forced labour and "Between two Stools. Die History of the Italian Military Internees 1943-1945". Special exhibitions are offered as well. A MultiMedia Guide is guiding you through the Permanent exhibitions, the grounds of the former camp as well as around the neighborhood. It's available in German, English, French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Russian.
9. Berlin Story Bunker
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 605 reviews
The largest documentary on Hitler and National Socialism - in a bunker from the Second World War. How a modern, progressive and cultured state can sink into barbarism in no time, culminating in barely imaginable brutality and genocide. How Hitler's enthusiasm came about, how Germany became radicalized and why the Nazis brought the world to its knees. "Hitler - how could it happen", German and English, AudioGuide DE, EN, FR, IT, IT
Reviewed By Plusi
I took the opportunity to visit this bunker while I was visiting Berlin. It's a fairly short walking distance from Checkpoint Charlie and the city centre but there is a nearby U-Bahn station as well and is well sign posted. I was most impressed by the Hitler story part of the bunker which goes in to some amazing detail about the life of Adolf Hitler, dispelling some of the myths and bringing to the surface some obscure facts that you may not know. The audio tour was touching and clear to understand (I had the English translation.) I tried to listen to the audio tour and also read all the exhibits as I walked around but realised an hour later than I hardly made any progress - there is so much to read about in this Bunker that I had to skip through some of it as I was beginning to get tired throughout and had to take a seat once or twice. There are some particularly touching pictures and diorama's set up throughout. It was an emotional and very thought provoking exhibit but also very well put together and I would gladly pay again to go and see if I find myself back in Berlin. I didn't spend too long in the Berlin story side of the bunker as I had been in the Hitler story part for nearly 3 hours and was pretty tired (my back was playing up somewhat that day or else I would have stayed longer.) The second part of the tour didn't have nearly as much in however it gave a glimpse of the historic city through the centuries. I would like to go back and examine it in a bit more detail before giving it a more thorough review however the Hitler story alone was definitely worth the admission price.
10. German Resistance Memorial Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
Reviewed By craice - Hockley, United Kingdom
Visited here last week, tucked out of the way so you have to make the effort to go and find this for a very interesting visit. If you’ve heard of or watched the film Valkyrie with Tom Cruise you should definitely visit here as this tells the story of various assassination attempts on Hitlers life. A very historic location with a great exhibit. Well worth the visit.
