in detail
The new Reich party congress grounds documentation center is located in the northern wing of the congress hall that had been designed by the National Socialists to hold 50,000 people, but was never completed. The permanent exhibition “Fascination and Power” covers 1,300 square meters of space and addresses the causes, connections, and impact of National Socialist rule. Themes that directly relate to Nuremberg are the main focus of the 19 chronologically structured exhibition sections: The Reich party congress, the “Nuremberg Laws” of 1935, the architectural history of the Reich party congress grounds, the “Nuremberg Trials” of 1945-46 against those who were primarily responsible for the Nazi crimes, and the difficulty in dealing with the National Socialist architecture after 1945.
Changing exhibitions are shown in two halls that were added later. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the “Studienforum” is of central importance to the work of the Reich party congress grounds documentation center. In two seminar rooms in the loft of the congress hall, the museums of the city of Nuremberg in cooperation with partners, offer an in-depth educational program for school classes, youth and adult groups. The programs vary from a 45 minute discussion following a visit to the exhibition to day-long seminars. The “Studienforum” also has a room on the ground floor and a movie and lecture hall with space for approx. 100 people
1927
3rd NSDAP Reich party congress in Nuremberg
1929
4th NSDAP Reich party congress in Nuremberg
1933
Nuremberg resolves to be the location for future Nazi party congresses. Design of the Reich party grounds begins. The annual NSDAP Reich party congress is held in Nuremberg until 1938.
Until 1943
Construction work at the Reich party congress grounds
April 1945
The US army occupies Nuremberg and uses some of its buildings until 1992
November 20, 1945 to October 10, 1946
Major war criminal trials conducted by the Allies against 21 leading representatives of the National Socialist regime are held in the remodeled jury courtroom of the Nuremberg palace of justice.
October 1, 1973
A new version of the Bavarian historical preservation law is passed which classifies the
Nuernberg, 2001, Aerial photo of the congress hall, Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände.
Nuernberg, 2005, entrance to the Reich Party Congress Grounds Documentation Center, Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände.
