Gedenk- und Begegnungsstätte Torhaus Gera

Memorial and congress place
in the Torhaus

of the political detention centre
1933 - 1945 / 1945 - 1989

History

since 1989

After the Peaceful Revolution in the autumn of 1989 the Stasi detention center was closed. After some structural changes the building was used by the state of Thuringia from 1991 to 1999.

The association "Gedenkstätte Amthordurchgang" was founded in the autumn of 1997. Its purpose is to bring the regeneration and documentation of political pursuit and opposition under the two German dictatorships into the public discussion. It is also used in the process of preserving memories and sensitizing future generations for power structures, understanding of democracy and moral courage.

In the summer of 1999 it became known that the detention center was supposed to be demolished. The association fought for the construction of a memorial and meeting place at the authentic location. In spite of massive protests and a sit-in the demolition of the detention center building could not be averted. Due to the aid of numerous supporters the entrance of the gatehouse as well as the administrative wing could be preserved. Funds for the design of the memorial and meeting place did not come available until the years 2003 and 2004. They were provided by the Federal Republic of Germany fund "Proceeds from the sale of former Wall property". Because of the long vacancy and the bad structural condition a complete restoration was necessary. Authentic memorabilia were secured from the cell tract and with artistic means integrated into the showrooms. The memorial and meeting place was reopened on November 18th, 2005.

In addition to the normal opening hours the association offers guided tours for school and trade school classes and organizes theme relevant events on a regular basis. Research projects allow the editing of publications as well as the filming of video documentaries. The care and counseling of the victims and the documentation of the experienced events are an important matter. The association organizes and realizes various special projects.

Already in the year of 1998 a fund-raiser was held for the remembrance in the public region. During this activity the association decided for the realization in three steps:

September 2005: The artists Tilmann Stachat and Martin Neubert design the staircase in the memorial and meeting place. June 2006: In cooperation with the city of Gera a commemorative plaque in memory of the national uprising on June 17th, 1953 was installed at the corner of Rudolf Diener Straße and Amthorstraße. April 2007: In cooperation with the city of Gera the memorial "for the victims of political tyranny" from Matthias von Hintzenstern was built in the Rudolf-Diener-Straße.

The association is financially supported by the Free State of Thuringia and by other institutions of political education. Granted funds are always project specific. We also appreciate donations.