Jewish Museum Berlin

Aerial view of the Jewish Museum Berlin, Libeskind building, Holocaust Tower and Garden of Exile (Foto: Jens Ziehe)

With its iconic Libeskind architecture and impressing exhibitions, the Jewish Museum Berlin is one of the highlights of the German capital. Since its opening in 2001, the museum has been counted among Europe’s outstanding cultural institutions. The zigzag-shaped building designed by Daniel Libeskind creates its own language for the Jewish history in Germany - with slanting walls, sharp angles and gaping voids.

The 2020 newly opened core exhibition presents Jewish history and culture in Germany - rich, diverse and interactive. The exhibition route spans from the early Middle Ages, the emancipation movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, National Socialism and the new start after 1945 right up to the present day. This historical narrative is punctuated with thematic spaces that expand perspectives on the diversity of Jewish life. What is sacred in Judaism? And what makes something a “Jewish object”? How is Judaism understood and lived today? Treasures from the museum collection, everyday objects, as well as works of art, video and audio installations, allow space for reflection and offer surprising insights.

Exciting temporary exhibition, a selection of themed guided tours and a diverse program of events complement the portfolio of the museum. Visitors are also invited to enjoy the spacious garden, the café or the museum shop. 

The Jewish Museum Berlin is located centrally in the vibrant district of Berlin-Kreuzberg - only a short stroll from Checkpoint Charlie and the former Berlin Wall.

Certified in the period

October 2021 - September 2024

Accessibility certified People with walking disabilities Wheelchair users People with visual impairments Blind people

Barrier-free information

Short Report as PDF

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified -  partially 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 is no company-owned parking lot available. A public parking lot is available 200 meters away. 
  • The subway station Hallesches Tor (U1, U3, U6) is about 500 meters away. The bus stop Jewish Museum Berlin (line 248) is located in front of the museum building. 
  • The entrance and exit are located in the Baroque Old Building. The permanent exhibition is located in two parts in the Libeskind Building (new building). 
  • During the pandemic, the entrance is used for groups. This is steplessly accessible. The exit is the actual main entrance of the old building. From there, a ramp path leads to the street. The path has a slope of 7% and a total length of 10 meters.
  • All rooms and facilities that can be used and elevated for guests are stepless, accessible via ramps or elevators. 
  • The elevator car in the old building is 153 cm x 185 cm.
  • The elevator car in the Libeskind Building is 150 cm x 170.
  • The paths in the basement between the old and new buildings (Libeskind Building) or in the new building (the axes) have a slope of 7% in places.  
  • There are two ramps leading to the glass courtyard/garden, these have an incline of 8% and a total length of 6m.  
  • All doors/passages that can be used by the guest and are elevated are at least 90 cm wide. 
  • The cash desk is 80 cm high at the lowest point, and the counter for the audio guide output is 75 cm high at the lowest point. 
  • Exhibits/objects and exhibit information are visible and legible in most cases while seated.  
  • Seating is available.  
  • In the museum café there are accessible tables (maximum height 80 cm, accessible at a height of 67 cm and a depth of 30 cm).   
  • The external paths in the garden and on the terrace are in most cases not easily accessible. 
  • Aids offered: wheelchair, museum stool

Public toilet for people with disabilities on the ground floor (old building)

  • The manoeuvring spaces:
    in front of the washbasin 150 cm x 136 cm;
    in front of the WC 150 cm x 100 cm;
    to the left of the WC 40 cm x 70 cm; to the right of the WC 80 cm x 70 cm.
  • There are grab rails to the left and right of the WC.
  • Both grab rails are flipped up. 
  • The sink is wheelchair compatible. 
  • The mirror is visible in sitting and standing position.
  • There is a cord as an alarm trigger.

Public toilet for people with disabilities in the basement (Libeskind Building)

  • The manoeuvring spaces:
    in front of the sink 150 cm x 120 cm;
    in front of the WC 150 cm x 120 cm;
    to the left of the WC 105 cm x 70 cm; to the right of the WC 72 cm x 70 cm.
  • There are grab rails to the left and right of the WC.
  • Both grab rails are flipped up. 
  • The sink is wheelchair compatible. 
  • The mirror is visible in sitting and standing position.
  • There is a button as an alarm trigger.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

 Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.   

  • There is no clearly visible alarm. 
  • There is an/no audio induction loop system. 
  • An outgoing emergency call in the elevator is confirmed acoustically. Alternatively, stairs are available.  
  • Information about exhibits/objects is provided in most cases in written form. Partial information is available in sign language. 
  • Tables with bright and glare-free lighting are available in the museum café, where there are no lamps standing or hanging that interfere with the field of vision or eye contact.   
  • Guided tours with FM equipment are made possible for people with hearing disabilities (e.g., headphones, neck ring loops). Pre-registration for the tour is required. 

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 allowed in relevant areas/rooms 
  • During the pandemic, the entrance is used for groups. This is designed to be visually contrasting.  
  • The elevated areas that can be used by guests are in most cases well lit, i.e. bright and glare-free.  
  • There is no guidance system with floor indicators.  
  • The signage is designed in legible and high-contrast lettering.  
  • Information for orientation is tactilely detectable (Braille and prismatic writing).  
  • Obstacles are present, e.g., objects protruding into the path/room: some exhibits and display cases. 
  • An outgoing emergency call in the elevator is confirmed acoustically. Stopping position is announced by voice.  
  • Stair treads are not visually contrasting.  
  • Stairs have at least one handrail on one side.  
  • Exhibits/objects are generally well lit.   
  • Information about exhibits/objects is provided in most cases in writing and is not visually contrasting.  
  • There is some acoustic information about the exhibits/objects, but no information that can be grasped tactilely (Braille, prismatic writing). 
  • An audio guide is available that can be operated independently by people with visual impairments / blind people.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

 Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.   

  • The name of the museum is clearly visible from the outside. 
  • The destinations of the paths are within sight or there are path signs at a visible distance.  
  • Information about the exhibits/objects is provided in most cases in written form, but not in plain language.  
  • Food is visibly presented in the museum café (buffet, counter).  
  • Guided tours for people with cognitive impairments are offered. The guided tour for people with cognitive impairments is given in plain language. Pre-registration is necessary. 

Evaluation report: Download as PDF