The Deutschlandmuseum: A History Museum Like No Other

Deutschland Museum

The Immersive History Museum in Berlin

What do you think of when you hear “German History Museum”? Roped-off exhibits, dusty statues, stone fragments and a lot of boredom perhaps? The Museum of German History is different: it is the only history museum of its kind in Berlin where you can take a journey through 2,000 years of German history. Looking at exhibits through panes of glass? Not at the Deutschlandmuseum – here you can really experience history. A unique blend of interactive history museum and amusement park adventure awaits you.

History, Like You’ve Never Experienced It

The permanent exhibition of the Deutschlandmusuem covers 1,400 m2 and features twelve pivotal moments from defining eras of German history. All of them are set up as life-size sets in individual sections and are full of intricate details. Interactive media, challenging activities and unique artifacts bring each historical moment to life. You can literally get a grip on German history without the need for prior knowledge – in just one visit and within one hour. The Deutschlandmuseum in Berlin is a history museum that is as exciting as the city itself.

2,000 years of German history

An alliance of Germanic tribes led by Arminius destroys a Roman army of almost 20,000 men under the command of Varus. The defeat marks the end of Rome’s plans to conquer Germania beyond the Rhine and Danube.

After the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the Franks became the dominant power in Central Europe. The Frankish Empire formed the basis for the later development of the French and German nations.

The expansion of the Frankish Empire often goes hand in hand with the conversion of the pagan population. The Saxons resist this for years, and the bloody Saxon Wars only end in 804 with the incorporation of Saxony into the empire.

Due to his military and political successes, Charlemagne is crowned emperor by the Pope. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, this (Germanic) empire establishes itself as a model for all medieval European emperors.

Rivalries within the Carolingian ruling family lead to the division of the Frankish Empire into three parts in the Treaty of Verdun: West and East Francia form the basis of what later becomes France and the Holy Roman Empire (German Nation) respectively.

For decades, the Hungarian horsemen ravaged the East Frankish Empire with raids. At Lechfeld, the East Frankish king Otto succeeded in defeating the Hungarians once and for all, thereby securing the empire and consolidating his power.

The coronation of Otto, King of East Francia, as emperor on 2 February 962 is considered the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire. This event deliberately drew on the legacy of Charlemagne and established the tradition of medieval imperial coronations.

After Emperor Henry IV was excommunicated in a power struggle with the Pope, he was forced to beg for forgiveness at Canossa in January 1077. This humiliating act weakened imperial power, and the journey to Canossa became a symbol of political submission.

To secure his power as king, Frederick II cedes royal sovereign rights to the secular and ecclesiastical princes of the empire. It is a decisive step for the federalist development that shapes the history of Germany.

The law code published on 10 January 1356 with its gold seals (bulls) regulates the election of German kings by the electors. This important constitutional document of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation is considered one of the foundations of democracy in Europe.

In 95 theses, Martin Luther criticises the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences. Instead of initiating the hoped-for reform process within the Church, the ensuing discussions divide the empire and form the starting point for the schism within the Church.

Economic, social and religious reasons lead to numerous uprisings by German peasants. With the Twelve Articles of Memmingen, they draft one of the first written documents on human rights. The uprisings are brutally suppressed.

Religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants led to the Thirty Years’ War. Political and territorial power struggles intensified the conflicts that shook Europe for three decades.

The treaties known as the Peace of Westphalia end the Thirty Years’ War and ensure religious freedom and a balance of power between the European states. The Empire loses numerous territories, while the sovereignty of the princes grows.

The coronation of Frederick II marks the beginning of an important era in Prussia. The enlightened monarch reforms society, administration and education. As a successful military commander, he establishes Prussia as a European great power.

Defeats in the wars against Napoleon and the secession of numerous principalities weakened the Holy Roman Empire. Under pressure to recognise Napoleon’s power, Emperor Francis II abdicated the imperial crown and dissolved the empire.

The German Confederation is formed as a loose confederation of states from 39 German principalities and free cities. This compromise between the independence of the German states and national unity is considered a precursor to the formation of the German nation state.

With the March Revolution, citizens demanded political freedoms, social reforms and national unity from the ruling princes. Even though the revolution was ultimately brutally suppressed, it forced the princes to make political concessions.

The German Empire was founded in January 1871, creating the first German nation state. The driving force behind its foundation was Prussian Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck, who assumed the office of Imperial Chancellor.

Nationalism, colonialism and militarism led to severe tensions in Europe and increasing isolation of the German Empire. The assassination of the Austrian heir to the throne was the decisive trigger that led to war.

The proclamation of the republic by politician Philipp Scheidemann on 9 November 1918 marked the beginning of Germany’s first parliamentary democracy. As politicians drafted the constitution in Weimar, it became known as the ‘Weimar Republic’.

After numerous economic and political crises and the rise of the NSDAP, Adolf Hitler is appointed Reich Chancellor on 30 January 1933. Within a few months, the National Socialists transform German democracy into a dictatorship.

The Nazi government uses the murder of a diplomat as a pretext to legitimise anti-Semitic violence across the country. Jewish shops, synagogues and homes are vandalised, and thousands of Jews are arrested and sent to concentration camps.

On 1 September 1939, Germany invades Poland. Because this attack violates international law, Great Britain and France declare war on Germany. Nevertheless, Germany extends its war of aggression to other European countries.

At the Wannsee Conference on 20 January 1942, high-ranking Nazi officials plan the systematic extermination of European Jews. This leads to the genocide of around six million Jews as part of the Holocaust.

After Berlin is captured, the Second World War in Europe ends with the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht on 8 May 1945. The four victorious powers then take control of Germany.

Due to irreconcilable ideological differences between the victorious powers, the Federal Republic of Germany was established on 23 May 1949 as a parliamentary democracy, and on 7 October 1949, the German Democratic Republic was established as a socialist state.

On 13 October 1961, the GDR government had an ‘anti-fascist protective wall’ erected to curb the harmful influence of the West on the GDR. In fact, the main goal was to stop the mass exodus of GDR citizens to the FRG.

For a long time, the Federal Republic of Germany had refused to recognise the GDR as an independent state and had hoped for German reunification. In the Basic Treaty, both states agreed to ‘peaceful coexistence’ and began closer cooperation.

Increasing political and social tensions lead to a peaceful protest movement in the GDR. Calls for political reform put the GDR government under severe pressure, and a communication error on 9 November 1989 causes the Berlin Wall to fall.

The peaceful revolution in the GDR and the fall of the SED dictatorship form the basis for German reunification. After the formalities between the victorious powers and the German governments have been clarified, the GDR joins the FRG on 3 October.

The signing of the Maastricht Treaty on 7 February 1992 marks the establishment of the European Union. The aim is to create closer political and economic cooperation between the Member States.

One of the EU’s key objectives was to expand economic cooperation by creating a single market. In order to facilitate trade between EU member states, a single currency, the euro, was introduced in 2002.

Auch ohne Titelgewinn im eigenen Land bleibt die WM 2006 allseits in positiver Erinnerung. Die gastfreundlichen und ausgelassen feiernden Deutschen verbessern das Image des Landes im Ausland nachhaltig. Einige aber sehen den neuen Nationalismus mit Sorge.

What history museums are there in Berlin?

There are several history museums in Berlin. The German Historical Museum is one of them, as is the GDR Museum. The Deutschlandmuseum is a globally unique type of history museum, having received multiple awards for its innovative approach to presenting history.

Which museums focus on German history?

There are many museums presenting German history in Berlin. One thing, however, stands out: the Museum of Germany. Because here history can not only be viewed, but experienced with all senses.

Where is there currently a historical exhibition in Berlin?

The most innovative historical exhibition in Berlin awaits visitors at the Deutschlandmuseum. There you will find 2,000 years of German history from twelve different eras presented in an immersive and interactive way. Unique and incomparable, you can experience history here instead of just looking at it.