Gedenkstätte Museum in der „Runden Ecke“

About the museum

The striking corner building on Dittrichring was built from 1911 to 1913 as the offices of the insurance company Alte Leipziger. After Leipzig was liberated in 1945, the US Army set up its headquarters here for a few weeks; afterwards Soviet agencies used the building. From 1950 to 1989 it housed the district administration of the Ministry for State Security (Stasi), which expanded the complex with several annexes. During the Monday demonstrations in the fall of 1989, the "Runde Ecke" (Round Corner) became a focal point of the protests.

On the evening of December 4, 1989, citizens of Leipzig occupied the building. This movement gave rise to the Bürgerkomitee Leipzig e. V. (citizens' committee), which opened the exhibition "Stasi – Macht und Banalität" (Stasi – Power and Banality) as early as August 1990 and has run the memorial ever since. It also operates the Museum im Stasi-Bunker near Machern.

The exhibition is housed in offices that have been preserved largely unchanged; linoleum floors, wallpaper, bars and radiators convey the atmosphere of everyday life in the former agency. On display are bugging equipment, forged stamps and ID cards, devices for opening letters, a disguise workshop and scent samples, as well as a replica of a cell from the Leipzig Stasi remand prison. Further topics include the Peaceful Revolution and the death penalty in East Germany. A large part of the building is now used by the Stasi Records Archive in Leipzig. Since 2012, as part of the "Iron Curtain" network, the memorial has held the European Heritage Label.

Highlights

• Largely original offices of the former Stasi district administration
• Preserved scent samples, disguise workshop and mail surveillance equipment
• Replica of a cell from the Leipzig Stasi remand prison
• Audio guide in eight languages included in admission
• "Stasi intern" walking tour of the former Stasi headquarters grounds on Saturdays

Permanent exhibitions

• Stasi – Macht und Banalität – On view since 1990 in the original rooms, this exhibition explains the structure, ideology and methods of the Stasi – from mail and telephone surveillance to unofficial informants – using original tools of the trade.
• Die Friedliche Revolution in Leipzig – Leaflets, posters and photos trace the path of the Leipzig opposition up to the 1989 demonstrations, the occupation of the Stasi headquarters and the first free elections. Open Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00.
• Orte der Friedlichen Revolution (Open-Air) – Steles at 20 historic locations across Leipzig use photos and bilingual texts to commemorate acts of resistance in 1989/90.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Bürgerkomitee Leipzig e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission includes an audio guide.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

Memorial on the history of the Stasi; programs mainly for school classes, such as "Students guide students".

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit