It is difficult to imagine that people were imprisoned and tortured in this actually harmonious-looking house for almost 10 years.
From December 1, 1935 until shortly before the end of the war, the “EL-DE” house served as the headquarters of the Gestapo in Cologne.
When you visit the basement of what is now the NS Documentation Center in Cologne, you get a shiver down your spine when you see the inscriptions and drawings on the cell walls.
They testify to the powerlessness and helplessness as well as the strength of the prisoners in the face of the horrors of the Nazi henchmen.
Enemies of the Nazi regime were executed in the inner courtyard.
On the two upper floors, the Gestapo offices “administered” the reprisals against Nazi opponents.
The ELDE House, which was used for both residential and commercial purposes, originally belonged to the watch wholesaler Ludwig Dahmen until 1935, hence the name of the house derived from the initials of the previous owner.
Then the Gestapo took over.
The building survived the turmoil of the Second World War, was extended in 1949 and only then did it acquire its current rather bulky appearance.
In 1981 the ELDE House became a Gestapo prison memorial and since 2010 the NS Documentation Center has officially rented the house, which still belongs to the Dahmen family today.
With a permanent exhibition and the previous and future special exhibitions, the NS-Dok wants to be not only a place of remembrance but also a place of learning, especially for the younger generation.
The history of National Socialism in Cologne is told impressively. A visit is worthwhile!
“From the Gestapo headquarters to the memorial and educational center…”
You can also take a virtual tour of the NS Documentation Center using this link.
We are now at the monument to a great son of the city, Willi Millowitsch, on Breiten Str. There we will tell you more interesting facts about this well-known Cologne folk actor.
Image source 2nd image: Single wall inscription in a cell, By Elya - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9008276
