Display of artwork or artistic creations
The Halle 116 Memorial and Learning Center in Augsburg offers a comprehensive exhibition that delves into the city's history during the National Socialist era, with a focus on topics like concentration camps, forced labor, and the post-war period.
Located in the western arches of the Halle 116, the exhibition spans around 600 square meters, providing visitors with a detailed account of the inhuman living and working conditions experienced by thousands of civilian forced laborers. The three subcamps of the Dachau concentration camp in Augsburg city area—Haunstetten, Pfersee, and Michel Works camps—are also covered in the exhibition.
Companies such as Messerschmitt AG, MAN, Keller & Knappich, and the Michel Works are highlighted for their role in benefiting from war preparations during the NS regime. The exhibition also sheds light on the denazification and democratization process, the influence of the "American way of life" on Augsburg residents, and the role of the US presence and Peace City in shaping the city's economy, society, and architecture during the post-war period.
The exhibition is designed to be accessible and understandable for all, with barrier-free facilities and easy-to-read texts. Selected biographies of inmates from the former subcamp Pfersee are illuminated in media stations, offering a personal touch to the historical narrative.
Visitors can also engage with interactive stations in the epilogue on "Peace City Augsburg," delving deeper into topics such as resistance, fake news vs. propaganda, and understanding democracy. For those who prefer English, an translation is available within the exhibition via a QR code.
The Halle 116 Memorial and Learning Center is temporarily closed for user safety due to structural issues, but stability has been found to be adequate. The Citizens' Foundation Augsburg, "Courageous People," has established a donation account to facilitate the swift reopening of the center. The reference for the donation account is "Halle 116," and the IBAN is DE22 7205 0000 0000 0263 69.
The Halle 116 Memorial and Learning Center is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm in August. For school class and group tours, contact [email protected].
For more specific exhibition details, including the exact topics covered, opening hours, and how to donate, we recommend visiting the official Halle 116 Memorial and Learning Center website or contacting them directly.
The Halle 116 Memorial and Learning Center's exhibition expands to cover aspects of Augsburg's history beyond the National Socialist era, addressing the impact of home-and-garden companies and their role during the war preparations, such as Messerschmitt AG, MAN, Keller & Knappich, and the Michel Works. In the post-war period, the influence of the "American way of life" on Augsburg residents, and the role of the US presence and Peace City in shaping the city's lifestyle, economy, society, and architecture are also illuminated in the exhibition.
