In international perception, Nuremberg is closely linked to the Nuremberg Trials. In front of the International Military Tribunal, founded by the four Allied Powers of World War II, 21 men were tried from November 1945 to October 1946 for crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity. After this Nuremberg Trial against the leading Nazi war criminals, twelve subsequent trials followed in front of a US military tribunal until April 1949. These trials are considered to be the most important component of the Allied Powers’ program to punish the leading representatives of the National Socialist regime.
The Memorium Nuremberg Trials informs visitors today at this historic location about the trial of major Nazi war criminals in Courtroom 600 and about the 12 additional trials of the Nuremberg Military Tribunals. In addition, it shows the impact of the Nuremberg Trials on the development of international criminal law. In Cube 600, it prepares special and traveling exhibits about these topics.
More than 60 years after the trials a permanent exhibition has been opened at the original site to provide relevant information on the background, proceedings and consequences: Explanations are given on the role of the defendants in the National Socialist power structure and the crimes they were accused of. Historic sound and film footage convey a vivid impression of the trials. The significance of the trials for the development of modern international criminal law made "Courtroom 600" world famous.
The "Nuremberg Principles" ensuing from the International Military Tribunal today form the basis for the International Criminal Court in The Hague. They illustrate how attitudes have changed since 1945/46 towards those responsible for the fortunes of the world’s nations and peoples.
