Plötzensee Prison

Plötzensee is a former prison and current memorial site in Berlin that consists of several buildings with red brick facades. The complex includes a memorial room in the former execution chamber, where the original walls and part of the historical equipment remain.

The prison was built in the late 19th century and served from 1933 as a central execution site of the Nazi regime. Most death sentences were carried out here between 1942 and 1945, including members of the resistance from July 20, 1944.

The memorial site preserves documents and photographs of those who were executed in an archive that helps visitors understand the fates behind the numbers. Many school groups and international visitors come here to learn about the final hours of the prisoners and to remember the victims.

Access to the memorial is through Hüttigpfad and it is open daily with free admission. Audio guides are available in several languages and help during the tour through the rooms and the permanent exhibition.

The original guillotine used for executions until 1942 is no longer present, but the steel hanging structure from the same year remains visible in the room. A small urn containing soil from different concentration camps stands in the memorial as a symbol for all victims of Nazi persecution.

Location: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

Inception: 1879

Official opening: 1879

GPS coordinates: 52.54100,13.32200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:25