DDR Museum Thale — Attraction in Thale

The collection of DDR artefacts is extraordinary and the focus on daily life, including several furnished rooms, is better than in most other DDR museums. It seems mostly aimed at nostalgia as labelling is almost nonexistent and unfortunately there are no catalogues or guidebooks (something that would give the collection the status it deserves) to help anyone who isn’t already familiar with what they’re looking at. The information is only in German, so Google Translate is essential for non-speakers (but be prepared to take some time). A room full of computers only has one put into any context: what did they cost? How many people actually had one? Many items are in need of conservation and some TLC, but to see some many items and objects in one place is still a...

I was truly impressed. This is a massive museum, beyond most I’ve seen including in Berlin. It also seemed more authentic because they didn’t have a bunch of fancy modern stuff like 3D or whatever. It is simply room after room of artifacts. Probably 50,000+ different stuff and you can touch everything. Every single drawer, cupboard etc. opens to reveal thousands more artifacts inside. I spent around 1 hour inside and had a great time for a cheap 6 euro. 1 hour was at a normal pace and not reading anything because my German isn’t that good. If you are fascinated by DDR / GDR and you read German pretty well, you could easily enjoy 2...

Only in German, but Google Lens Translate helps a lot. Tells the story of the DDR from creation to dissolution, harrowing in parts.

It has gathered numerous artefacts from the era and grouped them by decade. There is a lot of stuff (even computers!) and so the scarcity of goods and poor living conditions didn't come through strongly. A few of the displays did mention this through moving personal testimony, but it would come to life with some living history, and possibly a bit of Bauhaus......