EL-DE Haus image

EL-DE Haus

Tourist attraction History museum

Nazi-victim memorial center in a former Gestapo headquarters with exhibits & a basement jail. People often mention audio, museum, history, German, guide, interesting, information, visit, English, time,


Address

Appellhofpl. 23-25, 50667 Köln, Germany

Website

www.nsdok.de

Contact

+49 221 22126332

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (2.8K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 6 PM
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: audio (57) museum (50) history (39) German (39) guide (36) interesting (35) information (31) visit (29) English (28) time (26)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Keysha Valentin P. 2 years ago on Google
    This building held the headquarters of Gestapo back in Hitler times. It has a lot of information, photos, videos, articles that belonged to the victims and guards, and also on the basement you can see the cells where they held the victims, the walls have writings with messages from the people that were held there. It’s a very sad experience but something everyone should see and learn from. Being there makes you think about how cruel people can be and how power can make people do atrocious things; it puts everything in perspective.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matthew A. 9 months ago on Google • 161 reviews
    Very interesting museum explaining the history of Köln during the rise of National Socialism (The Nazis) and WW2 on the top two floors and on the lower floors how it was used as a Gestapo prison and interrogation building. So, if you enjoy your WW2 history, then it's definitely worth a visit...2 hour visit minimum is recommended.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher R. 4 years ago on Google
    Audio is required for English in the upper exhibits. The actual jail has English writing. Excellent exhibit but due to the nature of voice recordings it would require a full day to really see everything. Great overview of the local history. While much of it just echoed Germany as a whole it was full of great local examples that gave everything more life. Temporary exhibit on the People's Court was quite interesting as well. Definitely worth a visit.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Pranesh D. 11 months ago on Google • 248 reviews
    It is one of the best places to learn about nazi history. It can take easily 3 hours if you listen to each audio clip in the audio guide so I would highly suggest you come with some time. The most striking part of the museum is the prison in the basement. Give some time to the prison to just empathize.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 sad g. 2 years ago on Google
    I strongly recommend going if you like history. The admission fees are cheap, and audio guides cost 2 euros. If you don't know German, you will want to get audio guides as some of the museum remains only in German. This is a long visit, but was totally worth my time.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Inlovelyblue 2 years ago on Google
    Haunting. The EL-DE Haus is a haunting reminder of the horrors perpetrated by the Gestapo. Allow half a day to go through this museum. Despite being small in size, it contains a lot of rooms with displays and plaques to read. Also, it gets quite busy and large school groups will slow down progress through the exhibits. The audio guide is worth getting.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nisrine H. 2 years ago on Google
    Painfully interesting experience that every human being should have. I recommend you to start with the basement even though you have 2 hours to do the whole tour because It is the most touching part due to the actual demonstration of the inhumane conditions in which prisoners were living. (the writings on the walls are devastating). I also recommend you to pay 2 extra euros and listen to the audio tour, especially if you don't read German.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Qurratulain 1 year ago on Google
    Highly recommend going. Though the exhibition upstairs is all in German, I think it's still worth taking the time to look at everything because some things just transcend language. The most heartbreaking thing was seeing the last letters that people had sent. It was also interesting to read the writing on the walls of the prison cells and the countdowns. The freakiest thing was going out onto the street and realising how central this place was. You could be walking down the street minding your own business, and there'd be prisoners in the building right there.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pieter-Jan E. 3 months ago on Google • 239 reviews New
    House of horror! Informative museum with audio guides! The basement with cells are chilling, with names and dates scratched in the prison walls by inmates..

  • 5/5 Yu Yang C. 6 months ago on Google • 38 reviews
    Here you see the former gestapo headquarter. The building including the prison cells are well-preserved. The ticket was 4.5 euros and you can get an audioguide device with an additional 2 euros. It would be great if English descriptions are included. A very informative museum and your can expect to spend at least 3 hours if you are going to listen all of the audio descriptions
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matt M. 5 years ago on Google
    Very interesting museum, as an English person I found this place and its history fascinating. The cells are well kept and it is very harrowing to reads the stories of the individuals who were unfortunately imprisoned here. But a true reminder of the past. It's worth the 2 euros the get an audio guide and the information here is amazing. If you like your war history then this is a great place to visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Igor K. 2 years ago on Google
    Everything's in German. Museum's small and not worth it. It's also mostly pictures. Pictures and text. It's like paying to read Wikipedia in real life. Giving this place one golden star feels weird. But it deserves it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jason L. 4 months ago on Google • 74 reviews
    The gestapo HQ and prison. Its a very heavy experience walking within the building as they have kind of kept the maintenance to its original state. You can seemed to hear the screams and feel the fear from this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patricia M. 1 month ago on Google • 58 reviews New
    Good place to visit and to know more the story of cologne. The price is affordable (4,50€ + 2€ for the audio guide if you don’t speak German) and you can spend hours inside with all the information available. It is shocking to go to the lower floors where there were the bunker and some cells. Everyone should visit it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bogdan B. 4 months ago on Google • 23 reviews
    Very well thought out and put together exhibition of the rise and fall of fascism and nacional socialist party in Cologne and that part of Rhineland situated in a former Gestapo headquarters. Quite important to see and look at the remaining dravings and words etched in the walls by the prisoners in the basement of the museum.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Daniel P. 4 years ago on Google
    Very good museum with lots of information. The upstairs is all in German which necessitates purchasing the handheld which costs an additional 2 euros. You could easily spend half a day here if you have the time. Spent an hour and a half and not nearly enough time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniel A. 4 years ago on Google
    The museum itself is beyond informative of the Nazis and their rise to power. It documented nearly every day and month they took over Cologne and made for quite an interesting storyline. I would highly recommend this place to anyone fascinated by history, WW II, and the rise of the Nazis.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sammarro Damian G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is part of history and worth going to. It is a museum that takes no more than an hour to visit. I went on a Sunday and it cost 2 euros. (Original) Es parte de la historia y vale la pena ir. Es un museo que no lleva más de una hora recorrerlo. Fui un domingo y costó 2 euros.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 HO P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It's interesting, but not as interesting as the Documentation Center in Nuremberg or the Berlin Story Bunker! (Original) Es ist schon interessant, aber lang nicht so interessant wie das Dokumentationszentrum in Nürnberg oder der Berlin Story Bunker!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 kas123 b. 5 years ago on Google
    Very good but nothing wrote in a universal language past the first few cells down stairs. Awful to read the captives notes on the walls. But definitely a place that needs to be seen. There is a hand held commentary speaking guide but it's brief and the amount of information on the walls just in German is tremendous we must be missing out on loads. Toilets need a bit of a clean too. Nice lockers to put coats and bags in which is a great idea.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark S. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing place. Open honest history. Almost as it was left on the day the last person checked out at the end of the war. The cellar cells are haunting but filled with atmosphere. Well worth a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Arion S. 5 years ago on Google
    Kept very similar to how it was originally, has a lot of reading and is fairly small if you don't stop to read most of the information. All the signs are in German and English but their are audio guides which have multiple language options. Audio guides do cost extra. 1 Adult, 1 student and 2 audio guides is around €10
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gina P. 6 years ago on Google
    Old little museum with melancholy atmosphere and tremendous worth. You will learn a lot about the Nazi movement and Gestapo (secret police) in Cologne in 1930s. If you don't know much German it may be hard to get the best out of the experience since there's lots to read. Students only pay €2.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris G. 2 years ago on Google
    This was an extremely interesting experience. I recommend getting the self guided audio tour for English speakers. Overall the exhibits are larger than they seem and we were rushed to get out before closing even though we arrived 2 hours prior.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Niccolò B. 2 years ago on Google
    The tour is particularly interesting and full of pictures and original documents. Unfortunately almost nothing is translated in English so you better know a bit of German or just look at the pictures. Would definitely suggest the staff to put at least some sort of subtitle in a more international language.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Jimena H. 2 years ago on Google
    The museum seems very interesting and the presentation is very good. The problem is that everything is in German and the people at the information desk do not warn you about it. It seems like a must if you are visiting Cologne but the fact that it is not “language friendly” makes it hard for non-German speakers to enjoy
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nguyen N. 2 years ago on Google
    This museum is very well done and informative. It was free when we went since it was some sort of museum day so we only paid €2 for the audio guide. If you can’t read German, the audio guide is a must or you won’t understand anything on the 2nd and 3rd floors since there’s no translations on those floors. We were exhausted from information overload after the 2nd floor, but if you took time to read everything and listen to all the audio prompts, you can easily be here the whole day. We were there for 2 hours. We loved this museum. I wouldn’t recommend bringing young children.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gerard Dróżdż (. 2 years ago on Google
    Great museum, very well presented, extremely educative and interesting. I really recommend the audio guide.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Geoffrey Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Shocking. Deeply disturbing. BUT you must go and see for yourself what happens when ordinary people succumb to malignant manipulation. Don’t let it happen again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Acevedo M. 8 months ago on Google
    Amazing, NOTE= It takes 2 to 2.30 hours to do the full visit, so do it in time, the museum is really interesting and immersive, it tells you how things escalated in koln and in Germany overall, there is also the star part of the museum, the bunker and prison cells, it's stunning to see the horror of the past, if you are not fluent in German they have small phone devices that translate you all the museum tour for 2 euros, so I think it's worth, overall I think it's very underrated and probably the favourite museum for me of Köln
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fabian J. 8 months ago on Google
    definitely worth a visit. everybody should be reminded once in a while about the cruel things that happended in the past. humans tend to forget, but some things should never be forgotten
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 German G. 7 months ago on Google
    I like the idea. Interesting place if you haven’t seen any bunker/small-prison of the Nazi era. It would be way more accessible if they add English descriptions. The museum is almost only German. The audio guides help, but you still lose a lot of info. Even so, thanks for putting all of this together for the public!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alice W. 2 months ago on Google • 68 reviews New
    Such an interesting and harrowing place to visit. If you are English you must get an audio guide as none of the descriptions are in English. There are over 300 audio clips so if you want to listen to everything you need at least 4 hours to really take it all in. The basement is really harrowing but one of the most interesting historic places I've visited.

  • 5/5 Parchita 5 months ago on Google • 56 reviews
    Impressive museum, very detailed, well documented and with audio guides in several languages

  • 5/5 Darran M. 4 years ago on Google
    A fantastic museum. Don't rush it I spent 4 hours in there and still came out with more to see

  • 5/5 Brandon L. 4 years ago on Google
    Incredible museum. It's 6.50 for an audio tour which gives a lot of information - almost too much. The history of the building is amazing

  • 3/5 XXX 4 years ago on Google
    A creepy building that has witnessed many tragedies. It is a pity that a lot of the written explanations are only in german. But I suppose that you can find guided tours in your own language. When I was there there were many students with teachers/speakers, so it seems that the place is very active in this regard. I would not recommend the visit if you are already feeling depressed.

  • 4/5 oli c. 4 years ago on Google
    Only the lower levels offer a translation in english. I wasn't able to understand everything, but I still liked the experience.

  • 5/5 Lothar K. 3 years ago on Google
    deep insight into dark times ..

  • 5/5 dolce b. 4 years ago on Google
    Very cool and interesting experience. Its 2 euros per ticket for students and would totally recommend getting an audio guide for another 2 euros because the exhibition is mainly in German.

  • 4/5 Sophie C. 4 years ago on Google
    I wish the upstairs had German and English writing like it does downstairs. We were totally captivated with downstairs but sadly couldn't read anything upstairs. I highly reccomend this place though.

  • 3/5 Joris van Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Teveel portret foto's. Alle tekst in het Duits. Wij hadden geen audio guide. Dat is misschien wel handig. Het was voor mij te saai. Weinig indrukwekkend.

  • 4/5 Robin H. 3 years ago on Google
    Working production line was great to see. Nice setting. Good cafeteria.

  • 4/5 Rob A. 3 years ago on Google
    Interesting exhibition on a dark side of history. Excellent audio tour in English available

  • 5/5 Kerem Y. 3 years ago on Google
    True view into a history... Sadly

  • 4/5 Mattis M. 3 years ago on Google
    No English info

  • 5/5 Tiffany W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I strongly recommend taking an audio guide (costs only € 2 and contains a lot of interesting information) and definitely allow enough time if you want to see the whole museum. (Unfortunately, we “only” planned 2 1/2 hours, which was unfortunately not enough for us) The museum was very interesting and the price / performance ratio was great! A lot of interesting history is offered for a small price. If you are in Cologne, I highly recommend visiting this museum. (Original) Ich empfehle unbedingt einen Audioguide zu nehmen (kostet nur 2€ und beinhaltet sehr viele interessante Informationen) und auf jeden Fall genug Zeit einzuplanen, wenn man das ganze Museum sehen möchte. (Wir haben leider “nur“ 2 1/2 stunden eingeplant, was für uns leider zu wenig war) Das Museum war sehr interessant und das Preis/Leistungsverhältnis war top! Für einen kleinen Preis wird viel interessante Geschichte geboten. Wenn man in Köln ist, empfehle ich sehr dieses Museum anzuschauen.

  • 5/5 Antonietta Raia R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Unfortunately, very sad house. You should definitely visit. A lot of war history that should never be forgotten. (Original) Leider sehr trauriges Haus. Sollte man auf jeden Fall besuchen. Viel Geschichte vom Krieg, was nie vergessen werden sollte.

  • 5/5 Ns R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) impressively (Original) Eindrücklich

  • 3/5 Oscar Gómez L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Good museum. The cells in the subsoil are very impressive. The only problem is that the audio guide lengthens the visit too much and the explanations are all in German. (Original) Buen museo. Muy impactante las celdas en el subsuelo. El único problema es que el audioguía alarga demasiado la visita y las explicaciones están todas en Alemán

  • 5/5 Kiki B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting museum worth visiting! Because of Corona there are no tours, so an audio guide is recommended! The museum presents the subject of Nazi times in a very multifaceted way. With an audio guide and if you want to listen to everything in detail, you should plan several hours. But that shouldn't deter you before visiting! (Original) Sehr interessantes Museum das einen Besuch wert ist! Wegen Corona gibt es keine Führungen, daher ist ein Audioguide empfehlenswert! Das Museum stellt sehr facettenreich das Thema NS-Zeit dar. Mit Audioguide und wenn man alles ausführlich anhören möchte, sollte man schon mehrere Stunden einplanen. Das sollte einen aber vor einem Besuch nicht abschrecken!

  • 5/5 Walter F. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very well-founded and impressive documentation of the (Cologne) Nazi era and how it came about. In any case, you should take at least two hours! (Original) Sehr fundierte und eindrucksvolle Dokumentation der (Kölner) Nazizeit und wie es dazu kam. Auf jeden Fall sollte man sich mindestens zwei Stunden Zeit dafür nehmen!

  • 5/5 Gerald W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful memorial of the NS Gräul in Cologne in the Gestapo headquarters. (Original) Schöne Gedänkstätte der NS Gräul in Köln im Gestapo Hauptquartier.

  • 5/5 Sabine W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A memorial. Well-prepared documents that provide information, make you think and reflect. (Original) Eine Gedenkstätte. Gut aufbereitete Dokumente, die informieren, zum Nachdenken und Besinnen anregen.

  • 4/5 Juan Antonio Ramirez A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Visit for visiting. The horror they lived through at war is not a tasteful dish. Not recommended for sensitive people. (Original) Visitar por visitar. El horror que vivieron en guerra no es plato de buen gusto. No recomendable para gente sensible.

  • 5/5 Hans-Georg W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) if the events of the war and the end of the war are present on postcards, here in the EL-DE house it can be experienced and experienced on site because it is also historically present and historically guaranteed, moving and interested ... the man from Cologne was right in the middle and probably also involved After all, streets, squares and places bore the names that made up the 1000-year-old empire, the fate of the Edelweiß pirates and resistors took place here, because the interior of this spacious house was the execution site, today a memorial, which was an individual cell still accessible years ago, today glass doors are attached to protect the inscriptions in the lime of the cell walls, which does not detract from looking at and thinking, because copies and photos are close to studying the résumés .. so there is a bland aftertaste when visiting, and Since Corona times are with mouthguard and distance, the visit is also rather moderate, which is probably also the Zeitg I always meet the young people, of course, the teachers are overwhelmed with the German history and the past of their grandparents, so how should the children participate? in the past it was said anyway that this is not for children etc. Today you should bring some rest and time to visit the EL-DE house in Cologne, not far from the Cologne Opera Building Site, which is probably also a historical testimony .. at least as an eternal construction site. ... those responsible would only have started a complete new building from the start !! now it is too late, what the coming generations will be grateful for ..? !! As far as the end of the war at the beginning of March 1945 and the march in of the Americans are concerned and also considered the day of liberation, this liberation strikingly leaves a conflicting feeling for the attentive visitor, because it seems to me that the "US soldiers" were probably more interested in the German miss and the same encounter, and accordingly "fished" with chocolate and cigarettes ... today you know, s yes .. there is just no clean war ... (Original) wenn das Kriegsgeschehen und das Ende des Krieges auf Ansichtskarten präsent ist, hier im EL-DE Haus kann es vor Ort, weil auch geschichtlich präsent und historisch verbürgt, bewegend und interessiert erfahren und erlebt werden ... der Kölner war mittendrin und wohl auch beteiligt, trugen doch Straßen, Plätze und Orte die Namen, die namentlich das 1000-jährige Reich ausmachten, die Schicksale grad der Edelweißpiraten und Widerständler haben sich hier vollzogen, denn im Innenbereich dieses weitläufigen Hauses war die Hinrichtungsstätte, heute eine Gedenkstätte, die einzelnen Zellen waren vor Jahren noch begehbar, heute sind zum Schutz der Inschriften im Kalk der Zellenwände Glastüren angebracht, was dem Betrachten und Nachdenken keinen Abbruch tut, denn Kopien ubd Fotos sind nahe dran zum Studieren der Lebensläufe angebracht.. so bleibt beim Besuch ein fader Beigeschmack, und da Corona Zeiten sind mit Mundschutz und Abstand, ist auch der Besuch eher mäßig, was wohl leider auch dem Zeitgeist bei den jungen Leuten entgegenkommt, klar, die Lehrer sind mit der deutschen Geschichte und der Vergangenheit ihrer Großeltern auch überfordert, wie sollen dann die Kinder mitmachen. früher sagte man ohnehin, das ist nichts für Kinder usw.. Heute sollte man Ruhe und Zeit mitbringen für den Besuch des EL-DE Hauses in Köln, unweit der Kölner Opernbaustelle, die wohl auch ein historisches Zeitzeugnis darstellt.. mindestens als ewige Baustelle.. hätten die Verantwortlichen doch bloß einen kompletten Neubau in Angriff genommen von Anfang an!! jetzt ist es zu spät, wofür die kommenden Generationen bestimmt dankbar sein werden .. ?!! was das Ende des Krieges Anfang März 1945 und den Einmarsch der US- Amerikaner angeht und auch als Tag der Befreiung gilt, so hinterläßt diese Befreiung hier für den aufmerksamen Besucher auch auffällig ein zwiespältiges Gefühl, denn mir scheint, die "US-soldiers" waren wohl mehr am deutschen Fräulein und selbiger Begegnung interessiert, und "koberten" entsprechend mit Schokolade und Zigaretten... heute weiß man,s ja.. es gibt eben keinen sauberen Krieg...

  • 5/5 Reiner B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) History LIVE (Original) Geschichte LIVE

  • 5/5 Peter E. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great design and information transfer (Original) Tolle Gestaltung und Informationsvermittlung

  • 4/5 Pierick A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Lots of information presented impressively. Unfortunately no audio files available .... Corona ... (Original) Viele Infos eindrucksvoll dargestellt. Leider keine Audiodateien verfügbar ....Corona...

  • 5/5 Eyyüp D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A very important place that thank God has been preserved and that younger generations can see. Hopefully that won't happen again what happened in WWII (Original) Ein sehr bedeutsamer Ort der Gott sei dank uns erhalten ist und jüngere Generationen das sehen können . Hoffentlich wird das nicht wieder passieren was im 2 Weltkrieg passier ist

  • 5/5 Sara G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very good special exhibitions. Nice museum and information center. (Original) Sehr gute Sonderausstellungen. Schönes Museum und Informationszentrum.

  • 4/5 Richard K. 3 years ago on Google
    Very interesting place. How it was used as the Gestapo headquarters and it was in a neighborhood. The displays were not always in English, but I was in Germany. Very thought provoking place.

  • 5/5 Mono T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Extremely important place. Excellent preparation and a must for all school classes in the entire region. (Original) Extrem wichtiger Ort. Hervorragend aufbereitet und ein Muss für alle Schulklassen in der gesamten Region.

  • 5/5 bia B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Anyone interested in history should come here. A very interesting, but also goose bumpy house when you hear the past. (Original) Wer sich für Geschichte interessiert,sollte hier herkommen. Ein sehr interessantes und doch auch mit Gänsehaut belegtes Haus,wenn man die Vergangenheit hört.

  • 5/5 Tom S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting (Original) Interessant

  • 5/5 Rene K. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Absolutely recommended if you want to experience German history up close. The (Original) Absolut zu empfehlen, wer Deutsche Geschichte aus nächster Nähe erleben möchte. Der

  • 3/5 René 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Admission is currently 4.50 euros for an adult. Overall, there is a lot of text that you could read. It is a pity that the sometimes unfavorable lighting makes reading difficult (see picture). (Original) Der Eintritt ist mit aktuell 4,50 Euro für einen Erwachsenen ok. Es ist insgesamt sehr viel Text, den man lesen könnte. Schade ist, dass die zum Teil ungünstige Beleuchtung das Lesen erschwert (siehe Bild).

  • 5/5 Donna H. 4 years ago on Google
    This museum was very informative. English information and audio guard was very helpful. €6.50 admission. Good value.

  • 5/5 Stephan N. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Everyone should have seen it. Not for young children. (Original) Sollte eigentlich jeder mal gesehen haben. Nichts für kleine Kinder.

  • 5/5 SAS B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Allah akbour (Original) Allah akbour

  • 5/5 Dimitar I. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A place steeped in grim history. Visit and learn more about how people have been repressed. Look at the well-preserved cellar-prison and the courtyard where hundreds have lost their lives. On the second and third floors there is a detailed photo exposition of the development of the National Socialist Party and the coming into power. Well done to the people of Cologne who demanded that the place be preserved and shown to generations. The only way not to repeat mistakes is to remember them and never repeat them. (Original) Място пропито с мрачна история. Посетете и научете повече за начина по който са репресирали хората. Вижте добре запазеното мазе-затвор и дворът където стотици са загубили живота си. На вторият и третият етаж има подробна снимкова експозиция на развитието на Национал социалистката партия и идването и на власт. Браво на жителите на Кьолн, които са настоявали мястото да бъде запазено и показано на поколенията. Единственият начин да не повтаряме грешките е да ги помним и никога да не ги повтаряме.

  • 5/5 S C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Exciting! Authentic! (Original) Spannend! Authentisch!

  • 5/5 M. van W. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Impressive. Black page in the history of Cologne. (Original) Indrukwekkend. Zwarte bladzijde in de geschiedenis van Köln.

  • 5/5 Tim S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting and mandatory program in the context of German history (Original) Sehr interessant und Pflichtprogramm im Rahmen der deutschen Geschichte

  • 5/5 Juan C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Recommended to take audioguide, the visit is a bit long but worth it. Very well documented and a very interesting attraction. (Original) Recomendable coger audioguía, la visita se hace un poco larga pero vale la pena. Muy bien documentada y una atracción muy interesante.

  • 4/5 Kooijman 0. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice, lots of nice to see if you are interested in this (Original) Leuk, veel leuks te zien als je hier in geïnteresseerd bent

  • 5/5 Michael H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) You can get depression here, but still a very interesting exhibition. (Original) Hier kann man Depressionen bekommen, trotzdem eine sehr interessante Ausstellung.

  • 4/5 Rob H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Impressive exhibition in a former Gestapo headquarters about the slow process of populist and racist politics of the Nazis. The exhibition itself is fairly austere and textual; read a lot. The most impressive is the cellar with cells and interrogation rooms. (Original) Indrukwekkende tentoonstelling in een voormalig Gestapo hoofdkwartier over het langzame proces van de populistische en rascistische politiek van de Nazi’s. De tentoonstelling zelf is vrij sober en tekstueel; veel lezen dus. Het meest indrukwekkend is de kelder met cellen en ondervragingsruimtes.

  • 4/5 Harvey W. 3 years ago on Google
    Old gestapo building where people were imprisoned. You can still see the jails as they were. Lots of written information available in German. I think I paid something along the lines of 6€ for entry and an English audio guide. Could spend hours learning the full history. I learnt some new things about how the youth were indoctrinated into being nazis which is pretty crazy. The country was really ramping up for war which I just can't imagine these days.

  • 5/5 Jeroen O. 4 years ago on Google
    Great Museum. I have been to many museums which bored me quite quickly, but this museum kept my attention for a good 2 hours. Especially the cells in the basement are fascinating, with translations in English and German of handwriting of inmates on the walls. Wouldn't recommend this for children under 10.

  • 4/5 Finn S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great room but unfortunately there was no wifi while I was there.

  • 4/5 Youngwoo, Brian S. 4 years ago on Google
    This place was used as a prison and many innocent people were executed. You can see their miserable lives at the underground. At the other floors, pictures, newspapers, and many of the items which were used during the 20th century. For me, it was a meaningful experience, because I have not had enough chances to see these except the book.

  • 5/5 Dave K. 6 years ago on Google
    Truly amazing exhibit. Was really interesting and slightly terrifying standing where so many people died and to see the inside of a Gestapo prison in the heart of cologne

  • 3/5 Ryley M. 4 years ago on Google
    The basement was cool but the museum upstairs lacked artifacts so it is easy to lose focus

  • 5/5 Cindy W. 5 years ago on Google
    It’s easy to miss the entrance. I passed it three times! Definitely worth to have a look and understand more about the history. It is sad but we have learn from the past. I cant understand German and so i paid 2euro for the English guiding machine. However, quite a few places do not offer English translation and i had to use google translate to read it. By the way, the toilet here is free of charge which is rare in Europe.

  • 5/5 Martin H. 3 years ago on Google
    Auch ein sehr interessanter und relevanter Ort. Vermutlich auch eine einzigartige Gedenkstätte. Zumindest als Kölner sollte man diese Gedenkstätte mindestens einmal im Leben besucht haben.

  • 5/5 Vlad D. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) History clearly and visibly a great house (Original) Geschichte klar und ersichtlich ein tolles haus

  • 5/5 BackWavz 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) After GESTAPO moved from the Krebsgasse / Schildergasse police station to Elisenstrasse, the building stood for a long time as a symbol of the terror of the National Socialists in Cologne. A very important work is to come to terms with the past, against oblivion. Tours and exhibitions are very dignified. (Original) Nachdem die GESTAPO aus dem Polizei-Revier Krebsgasse/Schildergasse in die Elisenstraße zog, stand das Gebäude lange Zeit sinnbildlich für den Terror der Nationalsozialisten in Köln. Eine sehr wichtige Arbeit ist das Aufarbeiten der Vergangenheit, gegen die Vergessenheit. Führungen und Ausstellungen sind sehr würdevoll gehalten.

  • 5/5 F. R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Important against the historical oblivion of the Covid-19 deniers! (Original) Wichtig gegen die Geschichtsvergessenheit der Covid-19 Leugner!

  • 5/5 Tricker j. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) This is one of the best museums I've ever been to! Full recommendation! (Original) Dies eines der besten Museen in denen ich je war! Volle Empfehlung!

  • 5/5 Amélie 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It has been several times since I visited this museum and I am always in awe of all the information it has. Each time I feel like I'm learning new things. I recommend taking an audio guide as not all information is translated into English. (Original) Ça fait plusieurs fois que je me suis rendue à ce musée et je suis toujours impressionnée par toutes les informations qu'il possède. À chaque fois j'ai l'impression d'apprendre de nouvelles choses. Je recommande de prendre un guide audio car toutes les informations ne sont pas traduites en anglais.

  • 5/5 The W. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting history and a lot to see there. It was most interesting in the basement. But also sad how people were treated there. Absolutely to visit. (Original) Sehr interessante Geschichte und dort viel zu sehen. Im Keller war es am interessanten. Aber auch traurig wie Leute dort behandelt wurden. Absolut zu besuchen.

  • 4/5 Andre P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting and very depressing. (Original) Interessant und sehr bedrückend.

  • 5/5 Jonas 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting (Original) Sehr Interessant

  • 5/5 Oliver m. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Sad, impressive memorial for a bad time in Germany. (Original) Traurige, Beeindruckendes Mahnmal für eine schlimme Zeit Deutschlands.

  • 5/5 Rolf H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The worst part of a city's history has been processed as a memorial and so that it is never forgotten. Good exhibition despite the tough subject. (Original) Der schlimme Teil einer Stadtgeschichte als Mahnmal aufgearbeitet und damit dies nie in Vergessenheit gerät. Gute Ausstellung trotz des harten Thema.

  • 5/5 T. H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The exhibition on the Reich Labor Office under National Socialism and the continuities in the FRG (Federal Labor Office) was very interesting! (Original) Die Ausstellung zum Reichsarbeitsamt im Nationalsozialismus und den Kontinuitäten in die BRD (Bundesanstalt für Arbeit) war sehr interessant!!

  • 5/5 M P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very impressive - well done (Original) Sehr beeindruckend - toll gemacht

  • 4/5 Zagi W. 3 years ago on Google
    I think it is admirable that the germans are so transparant with their history, which this museum shows. Theres a lot to read but it is a very informative museum, definitely go down to the prisons at the end. :)

  • 3/5 Jose Ramon L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Although it is an important place to understand Nazism in Germany, the vast majority of the exhibition is made up of photos, pamphlets and information written in German. (Original) Aunque es un lugar importante para comprender el nacismo en Alemania, la gran mayoría de la exposición está compuesta por fotos, panfletos e información escrita en aleman.

  • 3/5 angie m. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) For the time being only 3 *, because I myself (ashes above my head) have never been inside. I'll catch up, word of honor. AND THEN .. there's a right review a là Angie! Advance information: the EL-DE house is at the subway stop "Appellhofplatz". Who the cath. Church "To the Black Mother of God" knows is already on the right side. If you stand exactly in front of it, you will hear about 30m to the right (there are 2 benches immediately in front of the El-De-Haus) From there you can already see the entrance. I will tell you about entrance fees, mask requirements, etc. But what I definitely know: KÖLNPASS-HOLDER get in for free with this plus BPA or travel pass. I'll take care of some detailed information right away tomorrow that you can't find on Google & Co.! (Sry Google) See you .. (Original) Vorerst nur 3*,weil ich selbst ( Asche ü.mein Haupt) noch nie drin war.Hole ich nach,Ehrenwort. UND DANN..gibt's eine Right-Rezension a là Angie! Vorab Infos: das EL-DE Haus ist an der U-Bahn Haltestelle "Appellhofplatz". Wer die kath. Kirche "Zur schwarzen Muttergottes" kennt,ist schonmal auf der richtigen Seite. Wenn Ihr genau davor steht,gehr Ihr ca.30m n.rechts (unmittelbar vor dem El-De-Haus stehen 2 Bänke )Von dort aus könnt Ihr den Eingang schon sehen. Über Eintrittspreise, Maskenpflicht etc. werde ich Euch noch berichten. Was ich aber def.weiss: KÖLNPASS-INHABER kommen mit diesem plus BPA o.Reisepass umsonst rein. Ich kümmere mich direkt morgen um ein paar DetailInfos,die Ihr nicht bei Google & Co.findet! (Sry Google) Bis denne..

  • 5/5 Avilio van Z. 3 years ago on Google
    One of the best museum in Cologne. It has a lot of historical documentation of the Gerstapo Prison. For students, it is just 2 euro and can know the history of it

  • 5/5 Diana A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The documentation center is a very good museum. I was very impressed by the special exhibition on "The Reich Ministry of Labor 1933–1945. Officials in the service of National Socialism" and I would like to recommend a visit to everyone. (Original) Das Dokumentationszentrum ist ein sehr gutes Museum. Ich war sehr beeindruckt von der Sonderausstellung über "Das Reichsarbeitsministerium 1933–1945. Beamte im Dienst des Nationalsozialismus" und möchte den Besuch jedem empfehlen.

  • 5/5 Anonyme B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is simply unimaginable how people were crammed together in the small cells. The courtyard is covered with mirrors and you feel a huge trepidation that so many innocent people have been murdered here. (Original) Einfach unvorstellbar, wie die Menschen in den kleinen Zellen zusammen gepfercht wurden. Der Hof ist mit Spiegeln verkleidet und man fühlt eine riesige Beklommenheit, dass hier so viele unschuldige Menschen ermordet worden sind.

  • 4/5 Tobias L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A lot to see and learn. Could be made a little more appealing in parts. Price-performance ratio fits (Original) Sehr viel zu sehen und zu lernen. Könnte teilweise aber etwas ansprechender gestaltet werden. Preis-Leistung passt

  • 3/5 Natalia G. 3 years ago on Google
    Just in German all the information

  • 5/5 Marco J. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Impressive! Get under your skin. Everyone should have seen it (Original) Beeindruckend! Geht unter die Haut. Sollte jeder gesehen haben

  • 4/5 Taher A. 3 years ago on Google
    Short history of WW II from Cologne point of view. Worth to visit.

  • 5/5 Henrik K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very informative and intensive. Bring a lot of time, the wealth of information and details are enormous. It's worth it!! (Original) Sehr informativ und intensiv. Viel Zeit mitbringen, die Informationsfülle und Details sind enorm. Lohnt sich!!

  • 5/5 Raphaëlle 3 years ago on Google
    Very interesting museum, audio guides are very complete so it takes a long time to go through the building, worth it though

  • 4/5 Simon D. 4 years ago on Google
    A very interesting, yet a bit emotionally challenging visit. If you are passionate about history, this is definitely a must see. If you are not a native German speaker (there is a lot of documents in German) or if you would like additional information, I would highly recommend paying the extra for the audio guide.

  • 4/5 Magda D. 2 years ago on Google
    4 stars, because what was the most interesting for me, was bounded, hell knows why, but I still get inside and saw it :dd adding photo which place I am talking about (that was bounded)

  • 5/5 Jyothisa M. 2 years ago on Google
    It was an intense visit to the museum. Most of the information is in German but you can purchase an audio guide at the entrance along with your regular ticket. The ticket is valid for the entire day and can be used to make multiple entries on the same day

  • 5/5 Prakruti S. 2 years ago on Google
    The English audio guide is easily accessible. The exhibit is a rather long one, but extremely informative and well-put, hence totally worth the time. Polite staff.

  • 5/5 Michał N. 2 years ago on Google
    Unique and unforgetable time travel back to dark, past times of national socialism. Visitors have an opportunity to face the historical facts served as well-composed and interesting exhibition, full of documents, photos and interactive content. The visit starts at basement-located prison, full of perfectly preserved, thus shocking inscriptions made by prisoners to express their suffering as well, as to pass the information of those who were executed. Next, one can move upstairs to travel along a timeline of history, which led from from exalted ideas, thru years of terror to final collapse among ruins of the bombarded city. Visitors can get an interactive e-guide prepared in few the most common european languages. Toilets available. Coatroom near the main enterance. Small shop with books and educational stuff. Professional and helpful staff. The place worth visiting. For history fans - must-see location in the city of Cologne.

  • 5/5 Kerri M. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent audio guides. Very informative experience.

  • 4/5 Rita Escue out and a. 2 years ago on Google
    Very good exibit but if you are english speaker definitely pay for the translator it is 2 euro extra but you will need it.

  • 5/5 Elena M. 2 years ago on Google
    Impressive place especially the basements. It’s really worth visiting if you like history.

  • 5/5 黃品學 2 years ago on Google
    Save your time for the former prison in the basement if you don’t get much time. You’ll need an audio guide if you don’t know German (but it’ll take over 2h to go through all of it so you can use it selectively). The exhibition was super complete and rich in details, a model of safeguarding memories and educating the public.

  • 3/5 Caio Souza C. 2 years ago on Google
    Extremely interesting place and well organized. It is a pity that EVERYTHING is in German and there isn't any translation to English, only in the dungeon.

  • 4/5 Adriana 2 years ago on Google
    The basement and side part of the building with cartoon prints of a forced worker were all in German and English, which was nice. However, upstairs there were no English descriptions, a shame.

  • 4/5 Monika L. 2 years ago on Google
    Interesting place, definitely worth to visit. However, no translation is provided on the walls and where the history is displayed. We had to listen to the information from a small device and spent 2+ hours touring only half of it. It was just too much.

  • 5/5 Zach P. 2 years ago on Google
    Basement has english translations. Over 3 floors, lots of reading and listening. Makes the experiences of the local population relatable and nice presentations

  • 5/5 Mel J. 1 year ago on Google
    Super informative! I really enjoyed my visit - highly recommend

  • 4/5 Angela M. 1 year ago on Google
    Love history and all things WWII However, the audio guide was a lot of information. There was so much to see it was almost overwhelming. Definitely a great time filler to dabble in or spend the many hours there if you choose.

  • 5/5 H. L. 1 year ago on Google
    A must visit in Köln if one is interested in WW2 history, especially with how the Gestapo operated and the atrocities committed in such a central area. Pro tip — get the audio guide and start from the basement where (main attraction) the cells are located. Tragic stories, horrible conditions and remnants of graffiti left by the inmates here left me in shock and sadness. The exhibitions on the upper floors are too information dense and tracks the rise of the reich, which to me is secondary to the stark and dark history of the basement. Accounts of how the thin walls and The Central location of the EL DE HAUS meant that passers by on the streets are bound to hear the cries of torture victims; executions in the courtyard are most probably visible to the inhabitants of neighbouring buildings.. yet people simply turned a blind eye to it.. and even ‘forgot’ about it until the 1980s, thanks to a German activist. Sad, depressing history that is worth the time. Student ticket costs €2 and the Audioguide cost another €2.

  • 4/5 Ming Y. 10 months ago on Google
    Entrance fee is 4.5 euro, audio guide costs 2 euro. It would be better if descriptions not only German but also in English. Tourists can read English directly because audio guide takes lot of time to listen

  • 5/5 Bita K. 1 year ago on Google
    This is definitely one of the most underrated museums. The place used to be Gestapo‘s office in Köln and there are still bunkers and cells that they use to keep political prisoners in the basement. A very good representation of what happened back then, lots of real stories and actual inscriptions on the wall from inmates. If you visit here you can get an audio guide which is very helpful and also (at least when I visited) there was a guide who explained everything and answered questions (free of charge).

  • 5/5 Lara F. 9 months ago on Google
    Highly recommended. Give yourself some time to do this museum justice. It's very painful, moving and humbling. This was the headquarters of the gestapo. Upstairs is a step by step walk through the history of the rise of the nazis. Downstairs is what was the prison with notes left on the walls by the poor souls that were kept there. Make sure you go out into the courtyard. The audio headsets have the tour available in English. Nearly all the signs are in German which was challenging for us.

  • 5/5 Calvin R. 9 months ago on Google
    God blessed there is a Cathedral in the center of the city because holy smokes. It’s really does put you through it and makes sure you know it. I tried listening to the whole thing but honestly it’d probably take like 3 hours or so and I’m only here for 2 days. It goes in depth to what was going on in Köln and generally Germany between 1918-1945 with everyone.

  • 5/5 Amit L. 11 months ago on Google
    Very well preserved, powerful experience, some unbelievable prisoner graffitis on the walls. Hard to believe this building with its torture cells and the inner yard with gallows used to be in a normal residential area.

  • 5/5 KK 1 year ago on Google
    Incredible museum, very well organized and presented. All displays are in German but the audio tour is is amazing and thorough. I had read on some trip advisor reviews that you needed ~1.5h to go through the museum, but I spent 3+ and it wasn’t enough. If you’re a thorough museum visitor and using the audio guide, give yourself ample time to go through all the floors and exhibits. Price is also extremely reasonable, €4.50 for entry and €2 for the audio guide. Can use the audio guide as a phone or bring wired headphones to plug in. This is a Cologne must-visit.

  • 5/5 Amanda A. 8 months ago on Google
    This museum is very impressive and well done. It is located where Cologne's gestapo were headquartered between 1945 and 1945. The audio tour is incredibly informative. We spent three hours there. We started listening to every audio clip (there are hundreds) but had to start skipping things towards the end due to lack of time. Plan a good, long visit here. It is well worth it.

  • 5/5 Susan M. 8 months ago on Google
    A very thorough and thoughtful display of the Cologne and broader German political movements and events from the 1930’s and 1940’s. We spent three hours and could have spent two more hours as we listened to the fascinating audio guide. My only criticism is the video displays did not work so I write this review in hopes that the EL-DE Museum staff will get them all fixed.

  • 4/5 Chris G. 8 months ago on Google
    Interesting building, especially the prison cells. Almost too much information, takes a good couple of hours to do most of it but didn't manage all

  • 5/5 Mariana S. 6 months ago on Google
    I was expecting disappointment yet what an unforgettable museum. Free entrance on Sundays, pay a small fee for an audio guide, totally worth it. The basement and courtyard are a must.

  • 5/5 Neelum M. 5 months ago on Google
    Hidden gem in Cologne, it's difficult to find! Very eye opening and informative. They don't have any translations in English but you can rent the audio guide for 2EUR. Well worth it. You could easily be there for 2-3 hours.

  • 5/5 Grace H. 4 months ago on Google
    Enjoyed seeing a lot of the history through photography and other documents digitised by researchers/historians etc. Translating signage using Google translate worked pretty well as all signage is in German. Audio guides available for 2€. Couldn't get coin locker to work but there was a place to hang coats and store umbrellas free of charge. Small backpacks can be taken through the museum. Very reasonable entry fee of 4.5€ per adult

  • 5/5 Rasvan M. 4 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    Amazing museum! Easily spent 2.5h inside and could have spent more. A lot of information, great visuals. For 4.5 euro ticket and 2 euro audio guide in english, it is a bargain! Must take the audio guide since very few displayed infos are in english, mostly is german.


Call +49 221 22126332 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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