Intense and well illustrated insight in the Russian KGB operations in East Germany before the demise of communism. Political prisoners were held here under inhuman conditions. A must see when in Potsdam, but prepare for a depressing and emotional experience about the danger of totalitarianism for innocent civilians. Be aware of the chance that in the early eighties Vladja Putin visited these premises doing his dedicated job as a young KGB official.

Quietly overwhelming. Scary and threatening. Very good, very desirable archiving of quite recent bad things. Also illustrates that the Russian machine became redundant, with the STASI becoming professional and self-sufficient: this building became less vital.

The building was originally built in 1916–18 by the Evangelical Ecclesiastical Benevolent Society (Evangelisch Kirchlichen Hilfsverein) or EKH. After the Potsdam Conference in August 1945 about 100 houses in the Nauener Vorstadt quarter, which bordered on the New Garden, were cordoned off and renamed as Military Camp No. 7 (Militärstädtchen No.7). In this area were located the command centre of the KGB for Germany, which was housed in the former boarding school attended by Empress Augusta Victoria. The neighbouring building of the women's benevolent society (Leistikowstraße 1, previously Mirbachstraße 1) was used as the counter-intelligence detention centre. Until 1955 Germans were also interned here who were suspected of being active as Werwolf members or of carrying out espionage for the Allied Occupation Powers in the Western Sector of Berlin. Soviet soldiers, who were accused of collaboration, desertion or close contact with the population, were imprisoned here until the mid-1980s. Many inmates were subject to violent interrogation before being sentenced to death or to many years imprisonment and transported to Vorkuta Gulag or other labour camps of the Soviet Gulag system. At the end of the 1980s the building acted as a storehouse. With the withdrawal of the Red Army from Germany it was returned in 1994 to the Evangelical Ecclesiastical Benevolent Society again. After restoration in 2007/2008 a memorial site was opened on 29 March 2009, which is open to visitors. A permanent exhibition on the history of the detention prison is currently being worked on. The state of Brandenburg, the Federal Republic of Germany and private donors have put up 2.2 million euros for the memorial site.

Nicely done up museum and it is free! Spent around 1 hour here. It showcases and explains the suffering of some German Civilians whom were falsely accused of being spies and were persecuted and harshly interrogated. Definately worth a visit!

Certainly worth a visit. Easy to get to by team and admission is free. Those interested in GDR era history will appreciate a visit. Displays and exhibits in German, Russian and English.

Interesting memorial with very engaging exhibitions. The tour guide was very good and showed us all details about the history of this place. The staff is pretty polite.

Must visit in the town. Very interesting exposition worth seeing

This place is impressing and also depressing. You can almost feel how people were imprisoned and tortured here. The place gives a good explanation of what happened here and of the people who had to stay here.

A stark reminder of what happens when russia takes your lands and stays there

I cannot possibly express my appreciation for the German approach to teaching and commemorating history, but this memorial is yet another example of that exemplary ethos. This memorial is heart-wrenchingly authentic and real. There are countless artifacts and testimonials from former prisoners that make their experiences palpable. Please visit.

I concur with the other reviews. Stumbled across this museum during a walk and am so glad that I did. These terrible things happened not very long ago and should not be forgotten. Definitely worth a visit and then take a walk to the lake and contemplate how things were and be grateful for your freedom.

It's very emotional place, must watch especially for people from Russia and other post-Soviet states

VERY creepy but fantastically informative - we visited right at the end of the day having also had a look round many of the castles in the area. I knew a little about the Stasi’s before visiting, but definitely not in any great detail. This place provided harrowing accounts and items from when the house was in use, and it genuinely felt like someone might be waiting behind each doorway. Highly recommend but probably wouldn’t want to go alone!

Very interesting place to visit. The fact it has been kept in original state, gives you a good impression about the grim conditions prisoners are being held.