The Stasi Museum in the Friedrichshain area of Berlin is worth a visit (indeed is the whole of Friedrichshain!) This building housed The Ministry for State Security (MfS) . After World War II, East Berlin was under the influence of the Soviet Union and became part of the German Democratic Republic GDR. Part of the “Soviet Influence” was the merging of the German Communist Party and the German Social Democratic Party to form the Socialist Unity Party. The Socialist Unity Party governed from 1946 until the fall of the GDR in 1989.
Experience life in the East at the Stasi Museum
The MfS monitored citizens with the complex at Friedrichshain being its head office. Inside you will find the old offices of Erich Mielke, the last GDR Minister for State Security.
The complex is huge, however the main building is easy to find.
Inside the foyer you will find a model of the complex as well as ticket office.
The building has a large variety of rooms detailing the MfS propaganda.
Rooms containing the implements of administration.
As well as rooms showcasing the means of surveillance.
The floor where Erich Mielke, the last GDR Minister for State Security worked has been returned to it’s original state. The building was ransacked by protesters during the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Something you don’t see very much, a paternoster lift.
The Stasi Museum is worth the detour from the usual Berlin sights, you will need at least two hours here for a decent look around.
360 of the complex
Getting There:-
Address:Ruschestraße 103, 10365 Berlin
Transport:
U-Bahn – Magdelenenstr U5
U-Bahn -Frankfurter Allee – U5
S-Bahn – Frankfurter Allee – Ring (S41 + S42), S8, S9 + S85
Opening Hours
Mo – Fr: 10.00am – 6.00pm
Weekend, Holidays: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Holidays: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Public guided tours Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
The tour in German starts at 1.00 pm, the tour in English at 3.00 pm.
Entrance Prices
Adult €8
Reduced €6
More information on their Website here.