Near the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe commemorates the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Designed by Peter Eisenman, its field of 2,711 concrete blocks sits on uneven, sloping ground. Walk among the rows to experience how the blocks change in height and the paths narrow. For historical context, descend to the underground information center, where photographs, diaries, letters and personal stories document the victims’ lives. The open-air memorial and information center are free to visit.
A field of concrete blocks
The memorial stands in central Berlin, close to the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz. Designed by American architect Peter Eisenman, it opened in 2005. Its 2,711 concrete blocks, also called stelae, are arranged in a grid across a sloping site. They vary in height, and the ground rises and falls beneath them.
There is no prescribed route through the field and no explanation of the design on site. As you walk between the rows, the blocks change in height and the paths feel different from one point to another. The memorial’s abstract form leaves room for a personal response, but its purpose is clear: to commemorate the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust.
Inside the underground information center
The information center beneath the field adds historical detail to the outdoor memorial. Its exhibits use photographs and personal records, including diaries and farewell letters, to tell the stories of Jewish victims and families. The displays give names and individual experiences a place alongside the memorial’s vast scale.
Visit the center if you want more context than the open-air site provides. Admission to the memorial and information center is free. An audio guide is available for a fee, with commentary to accompany the visit.
Visiting with care
You can enter the memorial field and make your own way through it. The design does not direct visitors along a set route, so allow time to pause and take in how the site changes as you walk. Treat the blocks with care: do not climb on them, sit on them or disturb them.
Free guided tours in English are offered on Saturdays at 3 p.m. If you prefer to explore independently, the underground center is a useful next stop for the history behind the memorial. The memorial field is open around the clock; check the official website for current information about the information center before you go.
FAQ
Is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe free to visit?
Yes. Both the memorial field and underground information center are free to visit.
What is there to see at the memorial?
The outdoor memorial has 2,711 concrete blocks arranged across sloping ground. The underground information center presents photographs, diaries, letters and stories of Holocaust victims.
Are there guided tours in English?
Free English-language guided tours are offered on Saturdays at 3 p.m.
Is the memorial open at night?
The outdoor memorial field is open around the clock. Check the official website for information center hours and closures.
