The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a vast field of 2,711 concrete stelae in central Berlin, just south of the Brandenburg Gate. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman and inaugurated in 2005, it commemorates the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Its abstract form leaves visitors to find their own way through the space rather than follow a prescribed narrative.
The blocks rise to different heights as the ground dips and undulates beneath them. Walk deeper into the grid and the surrounding streets begin to disappear from view, creating a sense of isolation amid the city. Beneath the memorial, the Information Centre gives the history a human scale through accounts of individuals and families, as well as documentation of Nazi persecution across Europe.
The outdoor memorial is open around the clock; an early morning or evening visit can offer a quieter experience. Allow about an hour for the Information Centre and check its current opening times before you go. Brandenburger Tor station is a short walk away, and comfortable shoes are useful on the uneven ground. The memorial is a place of remembrance, so move through it respectfully.