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The Documentation Center on the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds is known, above all, for its succinct entryway designed by the architect Günther Domenig, which sticks out of the building like the point of an arrow. Until the beginning of renovation in 2021, the center provided information about the time of the Nuremberg Nazi Party Rallies and the terror of the totalitarian system with its permanent exhibit “Fascination and Terror”.
Currently, the Documentation Center is closed for renovation until 2026. An interim exhibit in a separate space entitled “Nuremberg – Site of the Nazi Party Rallies. Staging, Experience and Violence” provides all necessary information for visitors about the grounds and its structures in a compact form.
History of the Documentation Center
The Documentation Center was opened in November 2001 in the presence of, among others, Federal President Johannes Rau. It is located in the so-called northern head-end of the Congress Hall and sets a striking signal. Architect Günther Domenig of Austria deliberately placed his modern building in contrast to the monumental severity of the historically-listed Congress Hall – cutting diagonally through the structure and providing contrast through the angular corners of the Studienforum pitched above. The investment costs were divided between the Federal Republic of Germany, the Free State of Bavaria, the Middle Franconian District and the City of Nuremberg. This commitment from the national and state level underscores the high national value of the project.
The permanent exhibit “Fascination and Terror”, annual special exhibits, the operation of the Studienforum with a comprehensive offer of tours and workshops and an extensive event program drew – before renovation and expansion began – more than 300,000 guests from all over the world each year.
Renovation and interim exhibit
Currently, the Documentation Center is undergoing renovation. The former tour through the building and permanent exhibit is therefore currently not possible. Until the Documentation Center opens in 2026, visitors can learn more (in German and English) about the history of the Nazi Party Rallies and the Grounds in an interim exhibit designed for the renovation phase. Many biographies offer personal glimpses into the subject matter, selected objects, documents, films and photos illuminate the events which took place in this area in the southeastern corner of Nuremberg.
Enlarged Museum and New Permanent Exhibit from 2026
From 2026 the Documentation Center will welcome visitors via a new ground level and therefore barrier-free entrance into a bright foyer area. The modern event hall and newly-established gastronomy hope to attract citizens and guests of the city to the building and its theme, independent of the exhibit itself. Low-threshhold access, openness and transparence will be emphasized in the future at the Dutzendteich.
The new, completely redesigned permanent exhibit will go far beyond the former presentation in its content and methods. In the focal point stands the history of the historical location of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds from the end of the First World War to present times. At many points, this story will be broadened and placed in national and international context. An overarching goal of the exhibit is to lay bare the traditional narrative of the “misled” Germans, reveal this as a strategy to excuse themselves when confronted with the crimes of the National Socialist state and to make apparent that the National Socialist regime was a “dictatorship of consent” – using the example of the Nazi Party Rallies.
The exhibit in several languages will use multimedia and interactive educational formats in many places, modern and up-to-date. Biographies will make clear the many voices in German society – even under the conditions of the Nazi dictatorship. The exhibit will show more objects from which the story may be developed. The engineered world of images of the National Socialists will be put in context and deconstructed for visitors – in particular, whenever possible, propaganda images will be enhanced by private sources. At selected stations, visitors will be asked to take their own position and stance – to the past and present. A central component of the new design will be accessibility – from a visitor guiding system to suitably designed modules in the exhibit to the gastronomy. A comprehensive contemporary educational program and space for special exhibits will round out the offerings. The costs for the renovation and new design are divided between the Federal government, the Free State of Bavaria and the city of Nuremberg.
