Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a place of remembrance dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, located in the western part of Berlin's Mitte district, south of the Brandenburg Gate. It consists of 2,711 concrete pillars of varying heights, forming a wavy labyrinth. The monument is open to the public around the clock and can be visited free of charge. The idea for its construction emerged in 1988 on the initiative of writer Lea Rosh, and after two competitions and modifications to the design by Peter Eisenman and Richard Serra, construction was completed in 2005. From the very beginning, it sparked controversy – for instance, due to the company supplying anti-graffiti protection, which had produced Zyklon B gas during the war, and the cracking pillars, which were built hollow to reduce costs. The creators deliberately avoided a single interpretation, aiming to evoke a sense of instability in visitors. The site is often used for relaxation, play, or sunbathing, which is not contrary to the architect's intentions. Nearby, there is a free Information Centre with an exhibition on the Holocaust, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. The nearest underground stations are Mohrenstraße and Brandenburger Tor, and the exact address is Cora-Berliner-Straße 1.