Hitler and Nurnberg

We were able to figure out the transportation system today and we visited the Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände (Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds) today. Joshua stayed at home with Hendrik. He told me today that he was nervous about coming to Germany but now it feels like home! By the way. I hope you are enjoying warm weather for me. It is COLD here. Brrrr..... Unusually so I´m told. Doesn´t make me feel any better and I want my warm weather! I´m going to have gained weight and have no tan!!!

 

I will add more photos later... perhaps when I am home. We are staying so busy that blogging is a challenge!! This is a VERY eye-opening experience. A huge reminder of why KNOWING history is so IMPORTANT!!! Incredible process for how Hitler came into power. The other parties were sure they would just work with the system and everything would be fine.

 

In some respects, Nürnberg represents both the birth and death of National Socialism. This is where the Nazis staged their huge propaganda-laden rallies starting in 1927. It was during the party rallies in 1935 that the Nuremberg Racial Laws were announced. Of course, this is also where the Allies chose to hold the architects of National Socialism to account during the Nürnberger Prozesse (Nuremberg Trials).

We started with a trip to the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal where held in 1946 in Room 600. Then we visited the Dokumentationszentrum (Documentation Center) on the Reichsparteitagsgelände (Nazi Party Rally Grounds).  This is was one of the best museums I've ever visited. It is my second time. Although the displays were all in German, the audio guides offer translations in numerous languages. This museum tracks the rise of the Nazi Party and the ways they used propaganda and mass media to both manipulate the German people and fool the rest of the world. It sounds familiar unfortunately. It takes about an hour and half, maybe two, to go through the entire exhibit. There is so much compelling primary source material to investigate throughout. The Dokumentationszentrum is built into the side of the never-completed Kongresshalle (Congress Hall).
 

Justice Hall and where the Nurnberg War Trials took place in Room 600.

 

Room 600 where the Nurnberg War Trials took place

Then and

Now

The face of EVIL

The Nazi Party Rally Grounds

The Congress Hall

  

Zeppelinfield Arena - Huge amphitheater where, from 1927 - 1935, Hitler staged his Nazi rallies. It was also where a Zeppelin landed here in 1909 hence the name. Hitler stood in the center stage of course. The area was huge for over 100,000 people.

 

 

NOW and

 

THEN

 

Hitler looking out to the crowd

 

This is the Documentation Center Museum

 

This is a map of the Hitler´s buildings. Some never finished but incredible all the same. He had a Congress Hall that was larger than the Coliseum in Rome. 

 

We pause for this commercial break for some cute baby ducks.

The area has a beautiful lake and paths for walking.