The Museum in the “Round Corner” (Runde Ecke) occupies the former Leipzig district headquarters of the Stasi, East Germany’s secret police. On 4 December 1989, during the Peaceful Revolution, citizens occupied the building to prevent the destruction of evidence. Today, it stands as both a record of state surveillance and a testament to the people who challenged it.
The permanent exhibition examines how the Stasi monitored and controlled everyday life, using files, surveillance equipment and other objects from its work. The institutional interiors give the displays an unsettling context: repression here was organised through ordinary offices and bureaucratic routines. It’s a sobering place, but an important stop for anyone interested in Leipzig’s role in the end of the GDR.
The museum is centrally located on Dittrichring, within walking distance of the historic market square. Allow at least an hour or two, and be prepared for difficult subject matter. Admission is generally free; exhibits are largely in German, so check current opening times and the availability of English-language audio guides before visiting.