Montagsloch

Montagsloch is a memorial site located within the Grugapark in Essen, marking the location of a 1945 execution during World War II. The site features a simple stone marker that serves as a focal point for remembering those who were killed at this location.

In March 1945, the Gestapo carried out killings at this location of people who were forced to work in the region during the Nazi occupation. The site was later documented and marked to ensure the victims would not be forgotten.

The name comes from the pit that was created at this spot, a direct reference to the grave that was dug here. The memorial now stands as a place where people stop to acknowledge the suffering of those who were imprisoned and made to work in the area during the war.

The memorial is located within the Grugapark and is freely accessible during park hours. Visitors should allow time for quiet reflection at the site and can combine their visit with a walk through the surrounding gardens.

After the arrival of Allied forces, local residents were required to participate in the proper burial of the victims. This aspect of the memorial's history reminds visitors that communities were confronted with the reality of what had occurred in their midst.