Lobby of the permanent exhibition “Access to Secrecy”, Source: © Oana Popa
Discover the exhibition, the archive and the historical site! Join our various tours through the exhibition to gain more insights into the themes of the permanent exhibition. Include an exclusive visit of the archive rooms themselves. Join a tour across the "Stasi headquarters. Campus for Democracy".
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Monday till Friday: 10 a.m. till 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 11 a.m. till 6 p.m.
On most holidays, the exhibition is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The exhibition is closed on the Christmas holidays, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: (24.12. to 26.12., 31.12. and 01.01.).
The exhibition is open daily. We look forward to your visit!
Arriving by public transport
Arriving by U-Bahn Line 5, Magdalenenstraße station
Arriving by car
There is no parking on the premises. Parking is available on the nearby streets.
Exhibition accessibility
We provide low-barrier access to the exhibition. More information on accessibility is found here.
Site plan
PDF
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(149 KB, File does not meet accessibility standards)
Free lockers are available on the ground floor. You will need a one-euro or 50-cent coin to use them.
Information about guided tours and events currently on offer is available at the information desk on the ground floor. You can also obtain free educational materials or purchase publications there.
During your visit, you may also submit an application to view files. Please bring a valid ID (identity card or passport). Further information on submitting an application and receiving guidance can be found here.
Visit to the Federal Archives
Source: BArch
Prams are permitted in the exhibition. A changing table is available.
We offer a special programme for older children:
Explore the exhibition digitally with Actionbound
Children aged eight to twelve can use “EiG 4 Kids” to engage in a fun activity in the exhibition “Access to Secrecy”. Kids can explore the exhibition on their own or with adults using the Actionbound app. How did the Stasi spy on people in the GDR? Why are there so many Stasi files? What data did the Stasi collect and what did it do with it? These questions are answered in a child-friendly way through the virtual “treasure hunt” on a mobile phone. The app is available for free from any app store.
Below you will find information to help you plan your visit. If you have any questions, please contact us at einblick-ins-geheime@bundesarchiv.de or 030 18 665-6699. We can help you prepare for your visit.
Arriving by public transport
You can reach the exhibition easily by public transport. The “Magdalenenstraße” stop on U-Bahn Line 5 is accessible via a lift.
It is approximately 300 metres from the lift exit to the exhibition entrance. You will need to cross a traffic light on the way. Part of the route is laid with cobblestones.
Arriving by car
There are designated parking spaces for the disabled on the site, approximately 50 metres from the entrance to “House 7”.
Exhibition accessibility
“House 7”, which houses the exhibition, is accessible via a ramp and a stairlift. Our staff at the entrance will be happy to assist you with these facilities.
Within the exhibition
The information desk, the collection of sample files on the ground floor, and the exhibition rooms on the upper three floors are all wheelchair accessible. A lift connects the floors.
The event rooms on the fourth floor, as well as archive depositories (during guided tours), are also accessible via the lift.
The exhibition texts can be read while seated. The interactive features are designed so that you can use them from a wheelchair.
If you are blind or visually impaired and planning your visit, please note the following information:
Toilets
There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet in the Stasi Records Archive exhibition. It is located in the entrance area on the ground floor, next to the paternoster lift. The door of the toilet is marked with a wheelchair symbol. To open it, press the button next to the door. The toilets are also equipped with an emergency bell.
Seating
Seating is available in all the foyers, at the information desk and in the sample files collection. There are also mobile stools in all exhibition rooms.
How was your visit to the exhibition “Access to Secrecy”? What did you like about your visit and what was not as good? We look forward to your feedback! With your help, we can continuously improve our offers and visitor services.
Send an email to besuch.stasiunterlagenarchiv@bundesarchiv.de or leave a review or message on Facebook or Instagram. All feedback will be treated confidentially.
