How much time should I plan for the memorial visit?
A tour of the former SS area and the prisoner camp takes at least two hours. The documentary film about the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, which is presented in the cinema of the memorial, is 30-minutes long. You should plan approximately one hour to tour the Buchenwald Memorial on the southern slope of Ettersberg Mountain.
Additional time is needed to visit the historical exhibitions "Buchenwald. Ostracism and Violence 1937 to 1945" (1,600 square metres), "Soviet Special Camp No. 2 1945 – 1950" (300 square metres), "History of the Buchenwald Memorial" (300 square metres), the art exhibition "Means of Survival – Testimony – Artwork – Visual Memory" (about 400 square metres).
For the exhibition "Ostracism and Violence. Buchenwald 1937 to 1945" you need to book a
What guidelines apply to a visit to the memorial?
The Buchenwald Memorial is a place of remembrance, a place where people suffered and died, a cemetery.
When visiting, it is important to wear appropriate clothing. Wearing clothing and symbols that are generally recognized to be manufactured or marketed within the right-wing extremist milieu is prohibited. So are symbols glorifying violence, such as images of weapons or skulls.
Smoking is prohibited on the grounds of the former inmates' camp. Please also refrain from eating or drinking in this area.
What is the minimum age for visiting the memorial?
We recommended that you do not visit the former detention cells, the crematorium, or the museums with children under 12 years of age. The minimum age for taking the guided tours is 15 years.
What infection-control measures are currently in place at the memorial?
Please note that due to the pandemic, not all exhibitions and historic buildings may be open to the public due to the small size of the given space. Up-to-date information on applicable infection-control regulations can be found under
Can groups be guided through the memorial at short notice?
Due to high demand, group tours must be registered at the Visitor Information Centre well in advance of a visit to the memorial.
Are there guided tours for individual visitors?
The Buchenwald Memorial offers German-language guided tours for individual visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays on a donation basis. The tours start at the Visitor Information Centre.
It is also possible to borrow multimedia guides in various languages.
What offerings are available in different languages?
The guided tours for individual visitors take place in German. Currently, self-guided tours of the memorial by means of a multimedia guide or app are available in German, English, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Spanish, and German Sign Language.
Multimedia guides can be borrowed from the Visitor Information Centre for a fee. Registered group tours can also be held in various foreign languages by arrangement.
The entire signage of the memorial is in German and English. Essential historical information is provided in German, English, French, and Russian.
Is the memorial accessible to people with disabilities?
The Visitor Information Centre, the exhibition buildings, Café Paul, the archive, and the library are barrier-free (ramps, lifts, standardized bathrooms for wheelchair users). Further information can be found in the section
How much does a visit to the memorial cost?
Visits to the memorial and exhibitions are free of charge. There is only a fee for the use of special educational offerings, such as guided tours or the rental of multimedia guides (5 Euro per audio guide, for 10 guides and above 2 Euro).
Is filming or taking photographs permitted at the memorial?
Filming and taking of photographs solely for private use are permitted during individual tours of the memorial.
Filming, audio recording, and taking photographs are not permitted on guided tours or during other educational programmes, such as one- or multi-day projects. Exceptions require prior written permission obtained sufficiently in advance from the memorial. Advance
Are dogs permitted at the memorial?
Please note, that dogs are not permitted on the grounds of the former inmates' camp. It is also a cemetery. Exceptions are guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs with corresponding identification jackets.
Is food or drink available for purchase?
Café Paul offers a selection of food and drinks. It located at the parking lot, next to the Visitor Information Centre. We ask for your understanding that due to the current tight personnel situation at Café Paul, the café is unfortunately only open to a limited extent or must remain closed completely on some days.
Where are the restrooms?
Visitor restrooms are located at the museum cafe and in the exhibition buildings.
Where can I find information about the history of Buchenwald?
An introduction is provided by the "Chronology" and the "Historical Site" under the "History" rubric. See also the content and literature references provided in
How can I find out about Weimar's National Socialist history?
The city tour
How do I get information about inmates in the Buchenwald Concentration Camp or the Special Camp No. 2?
Information is provided by the digital
Where can commemorative events be held?
Commemorative events in memory of the prisoners of the concentration camp can be held, for example, at the memorial for all victims on the former roll call square, at memorials for individual groups of victims, or in the memorial rooms in the former detention cell building.
For commemorative events in memory of the victims of Special Camp No. 2 at Buchenwald, there is a mourning ground at the cemetery below the exhibition building.
Please register your event well in advance at the Visitor Information Centre.
How can I support the work of the memorial?
You are welcome to support our work with a donation. It is also possible to volunteer for the memorial and for the Förderverein Buchenwald e.V.
