Its full name is the Munich Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism, but it was too long to fit into a title to attract your attention. One can explore the history of national socialism through its well curated an brings you through a journey in history. The exhibition hall spirals down this building, which is located on the former site of the Brown House – the headquarters of the Nazi Party in its early years. Königsplatz (the King’s square), is located just outside the museum and it is surrounded by buildings of historical significance to the Nazi era.
Also known as the capital of national socialism in Germany, Munich has no shortage of historical artefacts from the Second World War. The museum has little pamphlets that suggests self-guided city walking routes to visit former Nazi locations of importance. It also provides a brief history of the location and is available in multiple languages, be sure to ask for one! The library in the basement contains hundreds of books related to Nazi history and I found a lot of useful materials there for my research paper on Nazi architecture.
I appreciate how the museum explores a dark period of German history in a factual manner and provides warnings to its visitors to be wary of similar facist uprisings. Being able to deal with history as it occurred, whether with glory or with shame, is an essential part of being able to move forwards to the future.
(Photos courtesy of the NS Dokuzentrum)
