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Holocaust - Jewish & German Nazi Resistance With Berlin’s only World War II tour specialists
5.0
9 Ratings
Berlin
Uncover the bravery and resistance of those who fought against Nazi oppression in Berlin's Jewish district. Explore key historical events and sites related to the rise of anti-Semitism in 1930s Germany. Discover Otto Weidt's sanctuary and the remarkable stories of women who protested for the release of their Jewish husbands. Book now for an educational and meaningful experience!
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
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Stiftung Neue Synagoge Berlin - Centrum Judaicum - The starting point for this tour is the Neue Synagogue, New Synagogue. Constructed in 1866, the Synagogue was the largest and most magnificent in Berlin, a literal representation of the thriving 160,000 Berlin Jewish community members.
Saved from vandals during the infamous Kristallnacht pogrom.
The Synagogue remained in use until 1940 until being confiscated by the Army and used to store military uniforms. In November 1943, the Synagogue was severely damaged in an allied bombing raid. The main hall was torn down in 1958, partly rebuilt in 1988 and officially reopened in 1995. Today the Synagogue houses the Centrum Judaicum foundation, an institution for preserving Jewish memory and tradition. -
Jüdisches Gymnasium Moses Mendelssohn - Founded in 1779, the Jewish boy’s school was the first Jewish school in Germany without fees. Although a Jewish institution the school was open to all faiths and promoted liberal Jewishness and accepted female students in 1931.
In the Fall of 1941, the deportation of Jews to the newly conquered territories to the East resulted in banning all Jewish schools. In 1942, the Reich Main Security office under the SS turned the building into a transit camp. The windows were barred, and Jews were crammed inside to await deportation. -
Jewish Cemetery and Holocaust Memorial - Between 1672 and 1827, some 12,000 Jewish community members were buried here.
On the orders of the Gestapo, the SS destroyed the cemetery in 1943, smashing thousands of gravestones, throwing away remains and playing football with skulls.
In April 1945 burials once again took place. Almost 2500 German soldiers and Berlin civilians killed during the fighting or shot by the SS for hanging white flags from their windows are buried in mass graves. -
Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt - Located in a hidden courtyard is Otto Weidt’d Workshop for the Blind. Weidt supported by his wife Else employed more than 30 blind and deaf Jewish workers between 1940 to 1945.
As tensions grew, Weidt endeavoured to protect his mostly blind and deaf employees from persecution and deportation, regularly bribing Gestapo officers and falsifying documents. Even going as far as to travel to Auschwitz concentration camp to break one of his employees out. -
Denkmal Rosenstraße - A remarkable story, on the 27th of February 1943, the Gestapo, Waffen-SS and Berlin Police arrested , two-thousand Jewish men, married to non-Jewish German women.
Outraged, the wives of those detained numbering in the hundreds gathered to protest. Despite periodic threats of being shot if the women did not disperse the women would scatter briefly, only to return in larger numbers to continue protesting.
As pressure mounted Goebbels authorized the prisoner’s release. -
Lustgarten - The Lustgarten is framed on three sides by the Berlin Cathedral, the Altes Museum and the Zeughaus. Before the Nazi’s, the Lustgarten was a favourite location for protests and speeches.
One week after Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor 200,000 Berliner’s protested the new Government.
Strict regulations imposed by the Nazi’s over the coming month’s restricted Germans’ right to protest, hefty fines and arrests made protesting the Nazi regime very dangerous.
In 1934, the Lustgarten was paved over to make way for Nazi propaganda rallies, swearing-in ceremonies and military parades. -
Zeughaus - The magnificent Zeughaus is the oldest building along Unter den Linden constructed in 1730 as an artillery arsenal.
On March 21, 1943, the Zeughaus was chosen to exhibit captured Soviet weapons. Major General Rudolf Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff, a member of the Wehrmacht resistance, was chosen to lead the exhibit. Despite 27 failed assassination attempts to kill Adolf Hitler. Gersdorff was resolute to succeed and agreed to blow himself up with the Führer. With two concealed Bristish clam mines, he planned to throw himself around Hitler in a death embrace that would blow them both up.
A detailed coup détat was in place and ready to go, learn what happens next on this tour. - Neue Wache - The monument is a moving site in the middle of this busy city and stands as Germany’s central memorial for the victims of war and tyranny.
- Book Burning Memorial at Bebelplatz - On 10 May 1933, members of the Nazi German Student Union and their professors gathered here in Bebel Platz adjacent the historical and prestigious Humboldt University. In a nationwide action “against the un-German spirit”. Students burned upwards of 25,000 volumes of books that were deemed “un-German”.
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Trains To Life Trains To Death - The almost life-size sculpture, Trains to Life – Trains to Death. The monument depicts two groups of Jewish children’s contrasting fates during the Nazi era. The groups gaze in opposing directions representing the Jewish children whose lives were saved by the Kindertransport to England and the suffering of those deported to concentration camps.
Designed by sculpture Frank Meisle, himself among those rescued by the Kindertransporte travelling from here to England in 1939.
What's Included
- Complimentary hand and feet warmers in winter (Dec-Feb)
- Complimentary rain ponchos available all year (In case of rain)
Additional Information
Embark on an exploration with Berlin’s unique World War II guide specialists. Witness the courage and defiance of those who stood against Nazi tyranny.
Our journey of enlightenment takes you through the Jewish sector of Berlin, unraveling critical historical incidents and venues connected with the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment in Germany during the 1930s.
Discover tales of resilience, including Otto Weidt’s safe haven for Jews who were deaf or blind. Learn about the extraordinary story of the wives who staged a protest for their Jewish spouses’ freedom from concentration camps.
If you’re seeking an insightful and significant journey, this is the one.
Key Highlights of this Tour:
- Exploration of Berlin’s most ancient Jewish landmarks
- Visit to the Deportation Centre
- Otto Weidt’s factory - Berlin’s answer to Oscar Schindler
- Incident of the ‘book burning’ and more!
Location
Oranienburger Str. 36
Oranienburger Straße
The tour meets at the former Imperial Post Office on the corner of Oranienburger str. & Tucholsky str. I will be holding a blue umbrella and standing at the main entrance.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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Linda_s
May 26, 2024
Interesting and informative - Stories about the people and groups who resisted National Socialism. Jorg, our guide knew a great deal about the subject.
Review provided by Viator
Portland_oregonsadie
Apr 27, 2024
Great tour with Jorg! - This was my second tour with On the Front Tours. The two hours with Jorg flew by....Great information and well worth the time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Giordana_b
Apr 6, 2024
Must do in Berlin! - Wonderful experience; Benjamin was very knowledgeable and friendly so we learned lots during the tour. The stories he shared were very moving and it was great to see photos and places as we walked. Only issue we had was that there was a lot of standing so it is a bit tiring, but totally worth it!! Even my kids enjoyed.
Review provided by Viator
Nancy_m
Nov 18, 2023
A must on your visit to Berlin - Great walking tour of Berlin focusing on Jewish and German Resistance to the 3rd Reich. Scott was a wonderful guide- He gave us an understanding of history in just a few hours- and stopped at key memorials and resistance sites bringing the history "alive" . He adapted the tour to our pace and answered all our questions. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Benno88
Jun 11, 2023
Historical Walking Tour - We did a historical walking tour in Berlin with On The Front Tours. It was run very professionally with our guide, Matt, giving an extremely informative summary of the events of the Holocaust and Nazi Resistance. Matt’s knowledge was remarkable and his passion for history was evident.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annikab156
Apr 9, 2023
Great walk - Really knowledgable guide and we learned a lot about the war and the resistance. It was a great walk to lots of intersting places
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q9140xkvictoriar
Apr 7, 2023
Informative and fun - Amazing tour, tour guide was so passionate and though this was a serious subject, there was also a place for humour. We learnt a lot of points you can’t find in the history books.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alexmh2039mz
Feb 13, 2023
Informative and worthwhile - Amazing tour, very informative and our tour guide Amelia (very sorry it I can’t spell it properly) was full of knowledge and her enthusiasm made this tour that bit extra special.
She’s very passionate about her job and it is obvious to see. Definitely recommend Amelia and this tour for anyone considering visiting this concentration camp.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amanyalqatawy
Mar 21, 2022
Fresh perspective to WWII - if you are looking for a deep dive in Berlin's history , more of fresh and unique perspective of the history,I advise you with is very tour.
it is not a touristic/repetitive information that you have might heard before in any other tours . it was really interesting and fun and very very informative.
Matthew is such an amazing guid and he really have a lot to offer.
Highly recommended :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
