A Visit to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds

When planning out our stay in Nuremberg, we knew that at some point we were going to need to take a break from the Christmas markets and make our way to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Although we would ideally like to celebrate the holidays completely Nazi-free, it’s impossible to ignore the significant role Nuremberg played during the Nazi’s rise to power and subsequent fall. Therefore, we bundled up on our third day in the city and made our way to the former grounds, much of which is now covered with apartment blocks and parkland, to learn all about Nuremberg’s reign as the Nazi party’s favorite hangout.

The outside of the Kongresshalle – pretty much the only building left on the site

Located just a short tram ride from the main train station, the former rally grounds are one of Nuremburg’s top attractions – and with good reason. While large portions of the Rally Grounds were never completed, and those that were have long since been destroyed, one major building remains today. The uncompleted, yet still incredibly imposing Congress Hall stands at half its originally intended height and houses the Documentation Center – Nazi Party Rally Grounds (museum).

The Kongresshalle from above – it was only built to half its intended height!

The uncompleted interior of the Kongresshalle

Beautifully intertwined within the former North Wing of the unfinished Congress Hall, the museum displays a permanent exhibition entitled “Fascination and Terror” which documents the rise, power, and fall of the Nazi Party in Germany – with a specific focus on the city of Nuremberg, it’s rallies and trials.

A photo from one of the rallies

And another

One more for good measure

Although we have previously visited several sites related to the Second World War and the Holocaust – from memorials in nearly every country involved in the war, to concentration camps, museums, and sections of train platform once used to deport millions of people to their death – we were really impressed by the museum and overwhelmed by the amount of information on display. From Hitler’s initial struggle for power of the Nazi Party to the Nuremberg Trials, the museum covers the life of the Nazi Party in great detail and does a wonderful job weaving in Nuremberg’s role as host to the annual party rallies and later trials.

The Zeppelinfield – modeled after the Pergamon Altar

The Zeppelinfield again…very little remains of this structure today

Perhaps what surprised us the most was the concept that the rallies in Nuremberg were, at their core, a huge party. Like the music festivals of today, interviews with rally attendants depict them as a celebration. With beer halls, parades, sporting events, and military reenactments (all very reminiscent of the golden-age of Rome), the rallies went a long way in garnering support and goodwill toward the Nazi Party (much like the Berlin Olympics). Like a giant wool blanket pulled over the eyes of Germany and the world, every move made by the Nazi Party (under Hitler) was aimed at transforming Adolf Hitler into a legend and the Nazi ideology into an obtainable reality. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Rally Ground blueprints, now on display in the museum.

An oddly (and sadly) relevant poster we found at the museum

Perhaps the second most compelling section of the museum comes right at the end, both literally and figuratively. The Nuremburg trials, held just a few minutes away in Courtroom 600 of the Palace of Justice, still remain one of the most important political events in history. The museum displays a number of audio and video recordings, plus more information in written documentation (much more can be found at the Nuremburg Trials Memorial).

We won’t give away too much more about the museum and it’s displays, but if you ever get the chance to visit Nuremburg, we would highly recommend heading straight for this museum.

Logistics: The museum and grounds are located just a bit out of the center of Nuremberg – from Hauptbahnhof take Tram #9 to Dokuzentrum (you can’t miss it!). Entrance to the museum is 5 Euro, and it is open every day (check out the website here). An audioguide (included with the cost of admission) takes visitors around the museum, which encompasses 19 rooms filled with photographs, video clips, and artifacts. Information is displayed in a manner that allows visitors to delve into different areas that relates to their own interests. Give yourself a couple of hours to fully enjoy the museum…even more if this is a particular interest of yours (note: the trials section is at the end so be sure to pace yourself!).