Journey back to the DDR

Experience lively and interactive history based on sound academic research. The permanent exhibition of the DDR Museum introduces its visitors to the history of everyday life in the DDR and the realities of life under Socialism. Visitors are invited to extend their knowledge of a wide range of topics through direct engagement with historical sources. We do not hide all of our exhibits behind glass, but instead encourage our visitors to touch, hold and interact with a range of objects and installations.

The highlights of the exhibition include a simulated drive in an original Trabant P601, an authentic reconstruction of a high-rise tower block flat with five rooms, countless interactive games suitable for young and old alike, the monumental fresco »In Praise of Communism« and the opportunity to interact with a range of artefacts. Visitors of all ages can join in the fun.

The largest DDR exhibition in Berlin

East German citizens were cut off from the outside world by a wall and barbed wire; the Ministry for State Security exercised blanket surveillance. What was everyday life like in the DDR? Our exhibition answers this question with 47 topic areas spread out over an exhibition space of over 1000 m². The DDR Museum is the largest, most interactive and diverse exhibition focusing on the DDR in Berlin .

The exhibition is divided into three themed areas: »Public Life«, »State and Ideology« and »Life in a Tower Block«. Enter a fully furnished DDR flat and interact with an exhibition which takes a look behind the apparent idyll.

My Trabi – 26 Two-Stroke Stories

The current temporary exhibition »My Trabi - 26 Two-Stroke Stories« tells 26 exciting stories in small showcases about the Trabant 601, the most widely-driven car in the DDR.

The number 26 runs through the history of the Trabant 601. It had 26 horsepower, a 26-liter tank, and it was discontinued in 1990 after 26 years of production . The Trabant - German for »companion«, - actually accompanied the lives of many DDR citizens: first as a dream, then, after a waiting period of up to 16 years, as a new car, unless you bought a used car for a high surcharge. »The car was also a status symbol in socialism and promised a little freedom in a country without freedom. No other car is loaded with as many memories, and it is comparable at most to the VW Beetle in the Federal Republic, « says curator Sören Marotz.

After an open call in March 2019, people from all over Germany came to tell the DDR Museum their personal Trabant story. All in all, 26 of these memories can now be found in the temporary exhibition.

The exhibition will be on display in the foyer of the DDR Museum until November 10, 2019. Admission to the temporary exhibition is free of charge.

Everyday life – The Wall – The Stasi: all under one roof

The range of topics covered by the exhibition of the DDR Museum makes it the perfect introduction to a complex topic. Visitors leave our exhibition enthused and informed, learning not just through the objects with which they come into contact, but profiting from our unique multi-sensory hands-on experience and interaction with a range of  exhibits.

Our visitors do not just read - they see, touch and hear. Engaging all their senses, they hear propaganda, read original texts and laugh at jokes. Come and see for yourself and find out what you have always wanted to know!

A prize-winning Exhibition

The innovative design of the DDR Museum has earned it two nominations for the prestigious »European Museum of the Year« award. A survey of international visitors conducted by the German National Tourist Board established that we were the most popular museum amongst foreign tourists. But don’t just take our word for it – come and see for yourself!

All the texts and diagrams in the exhibition are provided in German and English. The design of the exhibition ensures that visitors do not need any prior knowledge and can enjoy a first-class introduction to an exciting aspect of German and European history. The DDR Museum is living proof that history need not be boring.

A family-friendly museum

The DDR Museum is accessible to all members of the family, bringing different generations together in a shared experience. The many opportunities for playful interaction, ensuring that children and teenagers enjoy what remains a highly educational experience.

A range of child-friendly interactive exhibits such as our Trabi simulator and our Kindergarten installation bring children into the world which they would have inhabited had they grown up in East Germany.