EL-DE Haus
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If you are visiting Cathedrals & Museums-go off the tourist path and VISIT THIS. I wasn’t sure what to expect-it just felt like a place that required a visit. Upon arrival the staff (so polite) helped us get started-yep, everything’s not in English. Bring a dictionary-the exhibits are rather self explanatory. And, Survive. They didn’t. For those giving 1-2 star reviews because: it’s boring not in English doesnt have enough staff “we know the ending” too expensive too stuffy AND TOO TIGHT?!?!?!? Where did you go? Before bringing kids, do some research re what you will see (a lot about this building’s use by the Secret Police in Cologne during WWII, a prison in the basement-carefully preserved so all can easily see & remember a lot horrific...), I usually had to decide if we’d visited too many X-and needed to stop. My husband & I spent approx 3+ hours here-longer than expected-keep in mind you may visit longer than expected. We (especially Parents) know you’ll make the best decision. Please note: this isn’t on the mainstream tourist list, it isn’t right next to the Cathedral. They do have financial supporters, but fixing all (well not the too tight carefully preserved prison) of the “problems found by 1-2 star reviewers” takes more. If you’re so moved, give a “leaving fee”
CW RichardsonCW Richardson
60
A must visit in Köln if one is interested in WW2 history, especially with how the Gestapo operated and the atrocities committed in such a central area. Pro tip — get the audio guide and start from the basement where (main attraction) the cells are located. Tragic stories, horrible conditions and remnants of graffiti left by the inmates here left me in shock and sadness. The exhibitions on the upper floors are too information dense and tracks the rise of the reich, which to me is secondary to the stark and dark history of the basement. Accounts of how the thin walls and The Central location of the EL DE HAUS meant that passers by on the streets are bound to hear the cries of torture victims; executions in the courtyard are most probably visible to the inhabitants of neighbouring buildings.. yet people simply turned a blind eye to it.. and even ‘forgot’ about it until the 1980s, thanks to a German activist. Sad, depressing history that is worth the time. Student ticket costs €2 and the Audioguide cost another €2.
H. LeeH. Lee
10
"Überleben ist ein Privileg, das verpflichtet. Ich habe mich immer wieder gefragt, was ich für die tun kann, die nicht überlebt haben." (Simon Wiesenthal) ______________________________________ Die Authentizität des NS-Dokumentationszentrums, welches sich in dem Gebäude (dem sogenannten EL-DE-Haus) befindet, das von Dezember 1935 bis März 1945 Sitz der Kölner Gestapo war, ist es, die in mir ein unendlich großes Grauen sowie Schaudern hervorrief. Die zehn Zellen des hauseigenen Gestapo-Gefängnisses sind noch im Original erhalten, und man kann Hunderte von Zeichnungen oder Inschriften der ehemaligen Insassen (überwiegend russische Zwangsarbeiter) erkennen, welche Leid, Trauer, Verzweiflung, aber auch Hoffnung zum Ausdruck bringen. Nicht selten wurde sogar mit Fingernägeln oder Schrauben etwas in die Zellwände gekratzt. Durch das Fenster eines recht dunklen Raumes, in welchem die Namen, Lebensdaten sowie der Ort der Hinrichtung von Opfern des NS-Regimes im damaligen Gau Köln-Aachen vorgelesen werden, blickt man auf den Innenhof, in welchem mehr als 400 Menschen erhängt worden sind. Unterhalb des Gefängnisses befindet sich ein Luftschutzbunker, der bezeichnender- sowie perverserweise einzig und allein der Gestapo vorbehalten war. Allerdings wurden hier auch Inhaftierte gefoltert, zumal ihre Schreie so am wenigsten nach außen drangen. Darüber hinaus wird im NS-Dokumentationszentrum extrem viel an Materialien zu den Schrecken des Nationalsozialismus, insbesondere in der Stadt Köln, zur Verfügung gestellt. Die Machtübernahme, die Gleichschaltung, die Vereinnahmung der Jugend, die Verfolgung von Juden, Sinti und Roma sowie Andersdenkenden, der Zweite Weltkrieg, Zwangsarbeit sowie das Kriegsende sind dabei zentrale Themen. Der lokale Bezug ist selbstredend auch ein Aspekt, der den Horror näher rücken lässt; um einiges näher, als wenn man beispielsweise ein Buch über die Schreckensherrschaft liest. Was die Sonderausstellung "Kritik im Nationalsozialismus. Kölner Fälle 1934-1944" betrifft, so war ich allerdings etwas enttäuscht. Ich hätte erwartet, dass Personen, welche Widerstand geleistet haben, besonders herausgestellt werden, wie dies in der Düsseldorfer Mahn- und Gedenkstätte am Beispiel eines Pastoren gemacht wird, der seinem Sohn strikt den Eintritt in die Hitlerjugend verbot. Meines Erachtens sind die nachzulesenden Fälle in den 60 Akten so aufwendig gestaltet, dass man sie mehrere Tage lang studieren müsste, was sogar für mich, die ich mich mit der Geschichte des deutschen Nationalsozialismus relativ gut auskenne, im Rahmen eines Besuches von etwa zweieinhalb Stunden eine Überforderung darstellt.
Ulrike Dr. ReuschUlrike Dr. Reusch
00
This was a very interesting museum, only had 2 hours to spare but could have easily spent 3 hours. Upstairs was really interesting, with very detailed background provided on before and during WW2 including what happened in Colone. Then in the basement and courtyard is the Gastapo prison, which is sobering and at times, difficult, but to to be in that space gives you a sense of what people went through more than any exhibition can. It's not a museum for young children, there is lots of information and hard subject. But for anyone who is interested in WW2 history its a must visit. If you are not German speaking, get the audio guide. The entrance fee was really reasonable, but we did pay extra for the audio guide.
Sarah BullockSarah Bullock
00
A sordid reminder of the atrocities that were commited during the reign of terror.The audio guide is a must of one doesn’t know German and wishes to visit the museum which is on the First and Second Floor.The prisons are in the 2 basement floors and there are translations provided in that area: the scribbled text of those who were held here are also translated.Reading those thoughts was difficult ,to imagine the kind of horrific existence they had within this building. The museum holds a very detailed presentation of how it all began and the various chain of events and is highly educative. It will take atleast a good 2 hours to go through all the various exhibits here.
Jonali TalukdarJonali Talukdar
10
This museum is very well done and informative. It was free when we went since it was some sort of museum day so we only paid €2 for the audio guide. If you can’t read German, the audio guide is a must or you won’t understand anything on the 2nd and 3rd floors since there’s no translations on those floors. We were exhausted from information overload after the 2nd floor, but if you took time to read everything and listen to all the audio prompts, you can easily be here the whole day. We were there for 2 hours. We loved this museum. I wouldn’t recommend bringing young children.
Nguyen NguyenNguyen Nguyen
30
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Reviews
Overview
4.5
(1.5K reviews)
Phone
+49 221 22126332
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Website
museenkoeln.de
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