Victims of Communism Memorial, Memorial complex in Maarjamäe, Estonia
The Victims of Communism Memorial is a large complex in Maarjamäe featuring a black wall with name plaques for those who suffered under Soviet rule. The site spans across a substantial area and includes two distinct sections: one focused on engraved names and another with informative texts, location stones, and apple trees.
The memorial was built in 2018 to honor tens of thousands of Estonians who were killed, imprisoned, or deported during Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1991. This long period of control left deep marks on the nation and remains central to how Estonia understands its own past.
The place is named after Maarjamäe, meaning Mary's Hill in Estonian, and its design reflects how people wish to remember those lost. The two sections work together to create a space where visitors walk through names and symbols that speak to shared loss across families and generations.
The site is open around the clock and located at Pirita tee 78 in Tallinn, making it easy to visit whenever suits you. Guided tours are available and help visitors understand the different parts of the memorial and their significance more clearly.
An online database called Digital Memorial keeps records of individuals repressed by Soviet authorities and is open to the public for research and family history. This resource allows people to search for information about their ancestors and connect with a broader historical record.
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