Located in the Palace of Justice, The Nuremberg Trials Museum, also known as the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, preserves the very place where the Nuremberg Trials were held, and where the world first attempted to hold leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.

When we arrived at the front of the building, we were surprised at just how ordinary it appeared. It looked like a typical government building. There was nothing about the exterior that hinted at the gravity of what had taken place inside. However from the moment we entered the building, there was a quiet weight in the air. This was not a museum meant for casual wandering, it was a place of Justice and for reflection.

We began by going into Courtroom 600 and we sat on one of the courtroom benches.  We looked at the layout of the courtroom and imagines how the court process that would have taken place.  It felt  surreal sitting in the actual courtroom on the actual bench. A few minutes later there was a semi transparent screen which lowered slowly down and the curtains closed and lights dimmed.

The screen covered the whole front of the courtroom although we could see through the screen to the courtroom. There was a hush  and then original footage from the actual Nuremberg Trials began to play. Seeing the real defendants, hearing their voices, and watching the proceedings unfold in the very room where we were seated made the experience deeply personal. What was truly unique was that the courtroom layout was visible through the screen and if gave a sense that we were witnesses there in real time.  After about 20 minutes the screen lifted and we continued onto the next section which contained different displays. We gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of the trials, the legal challenges, the moral questions, and the lasting impact on international law and human rights. The Museum did not shy away from difficult truths, nor did it sensationalize them. Instead, it presented history with honesty and respect. It took us about two hours to slowly go through the different displays and read, watch historic video clips and see the entire displays.

By the end of our visit, we felt emotionally drained and it was a somber experience. While “enjoyable” may seem like an unusual word for such a place, it fits in the sense that the visit was enriching, educational, and deeply moving. “Bis zur Nistzeit”