EL-DE Haus
Appellhofplatz 23-25, Cologne, Rhine River, 50667
Cologne’s EL-DE Haus—home to the NS-Documentation Center (NS-Dokumentationszentrum)—was a jewelry business until it was taken over by the Nazis in 1934. Transformed into a headquarters for the Gestapo secret police, it was used for interrogation and torture during World War II. Today, it stands as a monument to the victims of fascism.
The basics
Formerly the business of jeweller Leopold Dahmen, the EL-DE Haus (which takes its name from his initials) became one of Cologne’s most notorious and feared addresses during WWII. Its basement was used to host a prison and torture chambers; despite heavy bombing campaigns, it survived the city’s many air raids. Since 1988, it has been the home of the NS-Documentation Center, a major research center and an award-winning museum that memorializes Nazi victims across wide-ranging exhibitions.
Things to know before you go
- Audio guides are available for a small fee in eight languages and offer an accessible way to explore the permanent exhibition.
- The building’s basement prison is now an impactful memorial site to Nazi victims; the cells feature over 1,300 inscriptions and drawings on the walls, which have been preserved.
- Temporary exhibitions addressing local and national perspectives on the Nazi era are held as a supplement to the permanent collection.
- Free admission is granted to children aged 0–6; free entry is also offered on the first Thursday of every month.
- Free guided tours are offered once per month; it’s also possible to pre-book guided tours in English, French, Italian, Polish, and Spanish.
- Unfortunately, due to its heritage architecture, the EL-DE Haus is not accessible to wheelchair users.
How to get there
The EL-DE Haus is conveniently located in central Cologne. To reach the EL-DE Haus by public transportation, take the 3, 4, 5, 16, 18, or E trams to Köln Appellhofplatz station. The EL-DE Haus is also a short walk from the Cologne Central Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof), which is served by numerous mainline trains as well as the 5, 16, 18, and E trams.
When to get there
The EL-DE Haus is open from 10am–6pm Tuesday–Friday and from 11am–6pm Saturday–Sunday (and on public holidays). It has special late-opening hours until 10pm on the first Thursday of every month. Weekends and summer months tend to be more crowded.
Events at the EL-DE Haus
The EL-DE Haus hosts a busy events calendar throughout the year, and it’s worth researching its schedule before you travel. Offerings range from readings and lectures to workshops and cultural events.
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