In Berlin’s Tiergarten, this memorial honours Polish soldiers and German anti-fascists who opposed the Nazi dictatorship. It also commemorates Red Army soldiers killed in the battle for Berlin during the Second World War. Erected only months after Berlin was captured in 1945, the monument preserves a chapter of the city’s postwar history. Flowers around the memorial add colour in spring and summer, while a visit at night brings a quieter, more solemn atmosphere. Bring some background reading, as there may be little information on site.
A memorial from the aftermath of the war
The monument in Tiergarten commemorates Polish soldiers and German anti-fascists. It also honours Red Army soldiers who died in the battle for Berlin during the Second World War.
Berlin had been captured only months before the memorial was erected in 1945. Its preservation from the DDR period gives the site a place in the city’s postwar history as well as its wartime remembrance.
Planning a visit
The memorial can be visited at any time. Spring and summer bring flowers around it; after dark, the setting takes on a more solemn feel.
There may be little historical information on site, so bring your own background reading if you want more context. The area can also be used for skating, particularly on weekends, so a weekday may suit a quieter visit.
FAQ
What does the monument commemorate?
It honours Polish soldiers and German anti-fascists, and commemorates Red Army soldiers killed in the battle for Berlin during the Second World War.
Where is the monument?
It is in Tiergarten park in Berlin.
Can you visit the monument at night?
Yes. It is open around the clock, and a night visit gives the site a different atmosphere.
