National Holocaust Monument — Attraction in Ottawa

The National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa, located at the intersection of Wellington and Booth Streets, stands as a powerful tribute to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and a reminder of the resilience of survivors. Situated across from the Canadian War Museum, it is a striking and thought-provoking space that compels reflection.

Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind and unveiled in 2017, the monument is composed of six massive concrete triangles that, when viewed from above, form the shape of a fractured Star of David. This design is deeply symbolic, representing both the imposed identification of Jews during the Holocaust and the fragmentation of lives torn apart by genocide.

Inside the monument, large-scale murals depict present-day images of Holocaust sites, grounding the past in the present and reinforcing the weight of history. The space is stark, with towering walls that create an atmosphere of isolation and contemplation. The intention is clear—it is not meant to be a place of comfort, but one that forces visitors to confront the gravity of what happened.

Established through the National Holocaust Monument Act, the site ensures that the memory of the Holocaust remains an enduring part of Canada’s national landscape. The experience of walking through it is both sobering and necessary. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of hatred and the importance of vigilance in protecting...

I have no comments about the architecture or contents of the National Holocaust Memorial. My dismal rating is given because of the location, in the heart of an area undergoing urban renewal after being devastated a few decades earlier. The land it sits on what was formerly green and fallow, otherwise used as an adaptable area for bicycle racks or volunteer tents in support of summer activities. It was enough to have the War Museum across the street and the tone there is entirely different. At least we WON the war but the Holocaust made only victims. With land at a premium in the heart of downtown Ottawa and young families moving in, I do not feel the Memorial will blend in with this increasingly optimistic community (Lebreton Flats) in the long-term. The Memorial should have been placed next to the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg or in a more isolated place given to quiet...

We were very affected walking around inside this monument. It's wide open, but the high, angular walls and drabness of it all can make one feel claustrophobic, trapped, hopeless. Faint pictures on some walls have plaques to describe various aspects of the Holocaust, but mostly, in our experience, it was the feeling of being there. Absolutely haunting, and stays with you even after you walk up the steps to the "freedom" of the outside world again. It's a bit like being in a fun house, but without the fun....