Nazi-era exhibition draws 2 million to Nuremberg

By Klaus Tscharnke Nov 3, 2011, 14:49 GMT

Nuremberg, Germany - An exhibition in the German city of Nuremberg documenting the Nazi-era has drawn some 2 million visitors, transforming the once modest display into a main attraction for tourists, students and academics.

The 'Fascination and Terror' exhibition looks at the propaganda and megalomania of the Third Reich and the tragic consequences of their reign.

Located in the former Congress Hall, which was designed by the Nazis to host 50,000 people, the exhibition covers topics such as Nazi rallies and rally grounds, racial laws under the Third Reich and the trials of Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg after World War II.

Photographs, audio testimonies and films, including work by Nazi-era director Leni Riefenstahl, offer visitors a vivid experience of the rallies, forced construction labour, and the destruction of Nuremberg by the Allies in the final days of World War II.

The Nazis held annual rallies in municipal buildings in Nuremberg between 1933 and 1938, turning the city into a main centre for support.

The exhibition will mark the 10th anniversary on Friday.

Exhibition director Hans-Christian Taeubrich says its success is most evident in the notes people leave in the guest book.

'Incomprehensible', 'oppressive', 'incredible' and 'tragic' are among comments written by visitors from all over the world.

'The entries reveal the intense impression the exhibition leaves on many visitors,' said Taeubrich.

The exhibition is spread across 1,300 square metres in the north wing of the former Congress Hall, which was redesigned by Austrian architect Guenther Domenig.

Domenig installed and large metal and glass pole that runs diagonally across the exhibition hall, which he said symbolises a spear against Hitler and against his chief architect Albert Speer, whose family name means spear.

'It's a spear against the spear,' said Domenig.

The centre has also an educational programme aimed at school children, who make up some 40 per cent of its visitors, and adults.