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Kaiserslautern American
January 15, 2016
A Visit to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds
Photo by Cheryl Koller
Recently we had the opportunity to take my adult daughter and nephew on a little history trip. Let me just start by saying that I prefer to keep my travel completely Nazi-free. However, it is almost impossible to entertain visitors and not have them at least ask to see some of this significant history. Since Nürnberg was the Nazi party’s favorite hangout, it seemed the logical choice.
documenting the rise and fall of the Nazi Party in Germany with specific focus on the rallies and trials in Nürnberg.
What You Need to Know Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Bayernstr. 110, 90478 Nürnberg Fascination and Terror Exhibition is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Last admission is at 5 p.m. Tickets, including audio guided tour, are the following: Adult 5 € and Students (with school ID) 3 €
One of Nürnberg’s Top Attractions. The drive from Ramstein to Nürnberg is just over 3 hours. We left early in the morning since we knew we wanted to explore the museum at the rally grounds, have a leisurely lunch and drive back in time to miss the afternoon traffic. The former rally grounds are one of the top attractions and with good reason. While portions of the grounds were never completed and those that were have been destroyed, one major building remains. The uncompleted Congress Hall stands at half of its originally intended height and houses the Documentation Center - Nazi Party Rally Grounds Museum.
Photo by Cheryl Koller
Permanent Exhibition Intertwined with the former North Wing of the unfinished Congress Hall, the museum displays the permanent exhibition accurately entitled “Fascination and Terror,”
of the museum displays a number of audio and video recordings. I have to say that even though I knew going in how it all ended, it was still a relief after walking through the museum to see some sort of justice prevail.
Photo by Cheryl Koller
The Tour The museum is easy to find and free parking is available. The tour is audio guided in English and after a few minutes of trying to figure out exactly what I was supposed to do with the strange looking equipment they provided, I asked my 18 year old to show me. Simple enough. The tour encompasses 19 rooms filled with photos, video clips and artifacts. Information is offered in a way that allows you to choose different areas relating to your own interest. As you walk through the museum and its “Fascination and Terror” display, you actually do feel a bit of both. Fascination that anyone would follow this craziness and terror at the end result. Nürnberg Trials My favorite section of the museum and the most compelling is at the very end. The Nürnberg trials, held just a few minutes away in Courtroom 600 of the Palace of Justice, remain one of the most important political events in our history. This section
Photo by Cheryl Koller
To read the full story, visit http://militaryingermany.com /a-visit-to-the-nazi-party-rally-grounds Author’s Profile: Cheryl Koller is a native of Georgia. She is a DOD spouse, mom of 4 daughters (2 adults, 2 teens), thrill-seeker, avid traveler, and lover of food and wine. She is a self-proclaimed Freedom-Preneur and Blogger currently living in Ramstein with her family.
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