Topography of Terror (Documentation Center)
With over two million visitors a year, the Documentation Center Topography of Terror is the most visited memorial site in Berlin. From 1933 to 1945, the most important headquarters of National Socialist terror were located here: the Secret State Police Office with its own "house prison", the Reichsführung-SS, the SS Security Service (SD) and, during the Second World War, the Reichssicherheitshauptamt. Three permanent exhibitions provide information about the history of these institutions and the site, as well as about Berlin during the Nazi era.
Barrier-free information
All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users".
Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.
- There are six parking spaces for people with disabilities at the “Martin-Gropius-Bau.”
- Nearby are the Potsdamer Platz U-Bahn and S-Bahn station (approx. 600 m), the Kochstraße U-Bahn station (approx. 350 m), and the Anhalter Bahnhof S-Bahn station (approx. 500 m).
- All rooms and facilities accessible to guests are either at ground level or accessible via ramps or an elevator.
- The gradient is not greater than 7%.
- The surfaces of the pathways are predominantly low-vibration and easy to walk and drive on.
- All doors and passageways accessible to guests are at least 90 cm wide.
- There is a lowered information desk.
- Exhibits and information are primarily viewable while seated.
- Seating is available.
- The cafeteria features wheelchair-accessible tables (maximum height 80 cm, accessible from below at a height of 67 cm with a depth of 30 cm).
- A public restroom for people with disabilities is available for both women and men, which is accessible from both sides (at least 90 cm). The grab bars in the restroom can be flipped-up.
- Guided tours are offered for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users. Advance registration is required.
- Mobile or fixed seating is available for people with mobility impairments and can be used during the tour.
Evaluation report: Download as PDF
All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - partially accessible for people with hearing impairment and deaf people".
Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.
- An audio induction loop system is available at the information desk and in the auditorium.
- In the event of an audible alarm (e.g., a fire alarm), there is no clearly visible flashing or blinking signal in the building.
- An emergency call made from the elevator is confirmed audibly but not visually. Stairs are available as an alternative.
- The cafeteria has tables with no hanging or standing lamps that obstruct the field of vision or eye contact.
- Guided tours with FM systems (audio induction loop systems) are available, and tours in German Sign Language are offered. Registration for the tour is required.
- The website provides specific information for deaf people (including information in sign language).
- Multimedia guides with German Sign Language (DGS) are available.
Evaluation report: Download as PDF
All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - partially accessible for people with visual impairments and blind people".
Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.
- Assistance dogs are welcome.
- The entrance areas are designed with high visual contrast.
- The walkways are marked continuously with tactile and visual indicators (e.g., floor indicators).
- The signage (for wayfinding) is designed with clearly legible, high-contrast lettering.
- All raised areas accessible to visitors are illuminated with bright, glare-free lighting.
- An emergency call made in the elevator is confirmed by an audible signal.
- Stairs in the stairwell of the Documentation Center have visually high-contrast edges on at least the first and last steps.
- Stairs have handrails on both sides.
- The exhibits are well lit.
- Information about the exhibits is designed with high visual contrast.
- Some obstacles are present, e.g., panels and exhibits protruding into the room.
- Information is not available in Braille or raised lettering.
- An audio guide is available that can be operated independently by people with visual impairments or blind people.
- Guided tours are offered for people with visual impairments and blind people. Advance registration is required for the tour.
- The library has a computer workstation for blind and visually impaired people (https://www.topographie.de/bibliothek/sehbehindertengerechter-arbeitsplatz/).
Evaluation report: Download as PDF
Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.
- The name and logo of the Documentation Centre are clearly recognisable from the outside.
- The entrance area of the building is directly visible from the outside entrance.
- The cash desk is directly visible from the entrance.
- Destinations along the way when touring the exhibition (e.g. next station / information board) are usually within sight or the wayfinding system is in place without interruption.
- The guidance system in the building has no colour or pictorial markings.
- The information boards in the outdoor area are visibly presented.
- Guided tours are offered for people with cognitive impairments. The guided tour is given in easy-to-understand language.
- Audio guides in plain language are available. Seminars in plain language are offered and can be booked on request.
Evaluation report: Download as PDF
Image gallery
Topography of Terror (Documentation Center)
(Matthias Jankowia)
Topography of Terror
(Stafan Müller)
Topography of Terror
(Uwe Bellm)
Topography of Terror
(Juergen Sendel PICTUREBLIND)
Topography of Terror
(Klaus Frahm)