Not Taking Selfies and Other Tips About Being Respectful

Travelers to Germany often feel the need to pay homage to the darkest period in German history. A visit to one of Germany’s many memorial sites may be the most important part of any trip to the country.

We have detailed some of the most important Holocaust memorials across the country including former concentration camps like Dachau (outside of Munich) and Sachsenhausen (near Berlin). You should visit one of these remembrance sites while on your journey. However, you may still be confused about exactly what a visit to one of Germany’s Holocaust memorials is like.

Remembering the Holocaust in Germany has always been a contentious topic. The largest memorial in Berlin, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, took 17 years of planning and two design competitions to decide on its format. Moreover, it remains controversial. How to remember such an enormous, world-changing, and devastating event is no small task.

However, if you go to a memorial site with the right spirit of solemnity and deference, it is impossible to go wrong. Here are some things you should keep in mind, and activities to avoid. Here is the guide on how to be respectful at Germany’s Holocaust Memorials.

Taking Photos of Germany’s Holocaust Memorials

Most sites welcome photos. Pay attention to signs that note when flash photography is prohibited, or when photos aren’t allowed. As a guide, exterior photos are almost always allowed while photos inside the museums generally are not.

That said, think about how you compose your shots. Is this the place for peace signs, selfies, and bunny ears? Absolutely not. While some people can’t resist taking photos of themselves everywhere they go, it is vital to avoid using these sites as a fashion backdrop for a personal photo shoot. It is about honoring the site.

One of the reasons photos are permitted is to reinforce the importance of this event and tell the stories of the people who were directly affected by the Holocaust. Respect the space, remember it, and share your images. (Photo, film, and television recordings for commercial purposes require written permission. Inquire with the site beforehand on individual requirements.)

Touching Germany’s Holocaust Memorials

So we’ve established you can photograph it, but can you touch it? It should be clear that the buildings of the former concentration camps are historic structures, sometimes in a fragile state, and must be preserved. Some visitors like to put tributes on the memorial sites, such as flowers or candles on the train tracks or in the crematorium. However, this isn’t recommended as it involves walking across these delicate structures. Generally, you should avoid touching or handling any historic buildings or objects to preserve them for remembrance.

This becomes a bit trickier at newer, seemingly unbreakable structures. The Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin features the Field of Stelae which is composed of 2,711 concrete pillars. They are solid and infinitely photogenic. Its location between some of the city’s most important sites from Brandenburger Tor to the Tiergarten to Potsdamer Platz invites people to sit on the lower stones and rest.

In fact, designer Peter Eisenman envisioned this as a space for life to unfold. He wanted children to run between the pillars and people to touch the stones. His design intends this memorial to be less a holy site and more of a living monument. However, the phenomenon of people using the site for playful reasons has led to unintended issues.

Some people’s lack of respect has caused grievances. Visitors leaping between the stones and taking insensitive pictures have inspired an artist’s project known as Yolocaust. The artist, Shahak Shapira, took tasteless pictures people posted on social media of themselves at Germany’s memorials and edited them to include gruesome backgrounds of real-life scenes from the Holocaust. Consequently, no selfie looks cute with a scene from a death camp.

The campaign gained significant attention, and many visitors were mortified to find their pictures among his website of shame. This inappropriate behavior has led to increased surveillance. Contrary to Mr. Eisenman’s wishes, security personnel now patrol the perimeter of the Berlin memorial enforcing respectful conditions. For example:

• The Field of Stelae can only be entered slowly and on foot
• Keep your voice low and avoid loud noises
• Visitors are instructed not to jump between the stones or play sports on the grounds
• Dogs and other pets are not allowed
• Smoking and alcohol are prohibited

What to Wear to Germany’s Holocaust Memorials

Note that many of these sites are outdoors, and weather conditions can change quickly in Germany, so dressing in layers is advisable. Whether it be umbrella weather or time for sunscreen (often all in one day), you should come prepared. Moreover, just like taking tasteless pictures is frowned upon, complaining about the cold while reflecting on the thousands of prisoners who literally froze to death is inappropriate.

At Berlin’s Memorial to Murdered Jews, many visitors have recognized the slabs are excellent for sunbathing. Therefore, avoid wearing scant clothing when visiting the memorial. The Tiergarten is right next door and offers plenty of vast green expanses where casual attire is entirely acceptable.

This also may not be the day to wear your humorous “I’m with stupid” shirt or profanity-laden hat. Although there’s no need to dress as if you are attending a funeral, it is advisable to choose something respectful for your visit.

Eating at Germany’s Holocaust Memorials

Even we have fallen prey to this oversight. When planning our visit to the memorial site at Sachsenhausen, we stopped at a deli beforehand and eagerly picked out tasty meats, cheeses, and rolls, knowing there wouldn’t be many food options available.

After walking around the site for about an hour, we dug into our lunch… but our much-anticipated delicacies no longer looked as appealing. We nibbled on our meal shamefully and concealed the leftovers in our backpack to finish elsewhere.

Since that visit, formal policy has been established, and eating, smoking, or drinking alcohol within the memorial site is no longer allowed. This is the case for most Holocaust Memorials in Germany.

Age Limits at Germany’s Holocaust Memorials

While anyone should be able to gain something from a visit to Germany’s Holocaust memorials, such visits might not be suitable for children under 10. This is generally left to the discretion of visitors and not aggressively regulated by the memorial site. Therefore, knowing your child will aid in making the best decision.

Are there any Memorials in Germany not to Visit?

Germany has been careful to prevent sites associated with National Socialists (Nazis) from becoming pilgrimage points, particularly as the recent success of the AFD party exemplifies a rise in far-right politics. Ultimately, it is up to each visitor to decide if they choose to visit.

You might be surprised to find that Hitler’s Bunker, just steps away from Berlin’s Memorial to Murdered Jews, is barely marked with a placard put up in 2006. Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest is similarly understated under its German name, Kehlsteinhaus. The Bavarian State took over management of this site in 1960 and made it open to the public with all proceeds going to charity.

How to Show your Appreciation at Germany’s Holocaust Memorials

Most Holocaust Memorials in Germany offer free entry so that anyone can visit. However, maintaining and operating these sites incurs costs. Therefore, if you visit a site, please consider donating. Coin collection boxes are usually located around the visitor center.