Stasi archive tours in Neubrandenburg: Insight into secrets of the GDR!

Stasi archive tours in Neubrandenburg: Insight into secrets of the GDR!

On September 3, 2025, the Stasi records archive in Neubrandenburg will open its doors to the public. In a special archive tour that begins at 5 p.m. at Neustrelitzer Straße 120, visitors will learn interesting facts about the atrocities of the Ministry for State Security (MfS), which held the district administration here for 13 years until the fall of the Berlin Wall. Admission is free and the interest in the dark chapters of history is evident in the shelves full of documents and evidence of the GDR's surveillance culture.

During the tour, archive director Michael Köllner will provide insights into how documents and data were collected over almost 40 years. The collection includes an impressive 2,500 linear meters of Stasi documents, including more than 800,000 index cards as well as image and audio documents. It becomes particularly informative when it explains how the Stasi worked with index cards and also why a network of secret apartments was maintained in Neubrandenburg in order to successfully carry out their surveillance mission. These are just some of the topics that will be addressed on this day.

Stasi traditions and their consequences

Like that Federal Archives reported, the written records of the archive include two groups: archived files and documents from the service units. The latter were often messy, making it difficult to track information. The files are not only important for historians, but also play a role in the personal processing of those affected who have the opportunity to apply to inspect their personal Stasi documents. This happens on site and requires a valid personal document.

One hour after the archive tour, at 6 p.m., visitors also have the opportunity to take part in a tour of the Stasi prison, which is offered by the “Gedenkort Lindenberg” association. A truly unique experience that sheds light on the cruel past and surveillance methods in the GDR.

Educational opportunities for future generations

In addition to public tours, the Stasi Records Archive also offers various educational offerings. Students from the 9th grade onwards can complete internships and receive support from archive staff with homework. Topics such as “Civil Courage in the North of the GDR” or the “Foundation and Working Methods of the Neubrandenburg District Administration” are available. Teachers can also benefit from professional support to give their students a deeper understanding of this historical phase.

Getting to the archive is easy by car, via the A 20 to the B 96 and B 104, as well as by public transport such as city buses. There are enough parking spaces available.

The Stasi records archive in Neubrandenburg is therefore not only a place of remembrance of a dark past, but also a valuable resource for enlightenment and education that has a deep impact on the region's social memory. More information about the archive's holdings can also be found in the detailed overview EHRI project, which underlines the importance of these documents.