Platform 17 Memorial (Gleis 17, Grunewald)
Am Bahnhof Grunewald, Berlin, Germany, 14193
Berlin is full of reminders of the horrors of World War II. One of the more subtle memorials was inaugurated in 1998 at Platform 17 (Gleis 17) in Berlin’s Grunewald S-Bahn station. During World War II, Grunewald station was a major site for the deportation of Jews, mostly to ghettos and concentration camps, by the Deutsche Reichsbahn.
The Basics
During the Second World War, more than 50,000 Jews were deported from Berlin and its surrounding areas via Grunewald’s Platform 17. The current Deutsche Bahn created the memorial platform after concluding that these mass deportations by their predecessors would not have been possible without the railway.
To learn more about Jewish history in Berlin, book a private tour with a particular focus on Jewish heritage and World War II.
Things to Know Before You Go
Gleis 17 is a must-visit for WWII history buffs and those interested in the Jewish story in Germany.
Guests usually spend about 45 minutes exploring the memorial and remembering the events that took place.
Berlin is known for unpredictable weather, so come prepared with warm clothes to explore the memorial.
The memorial is not suitable for wheelchair users, as there are only gravel paths and no elevator to the platform.
How to Get There
The Platform 17 memorial is located in Berlin’s western Grunewald district. Take the S3, S5, S7, or S75 overground line to the Grunewald S-Bahn station, or city bus 186, M19, or 349 to the same stop. Gleis 17 is the last platform in the Grunewald station and is clearly marked for visitors to find. Grunewald is also where you get off to explore the nearby Soviet-era Teufelsberg spy tower, located in the forest behind the station.
When to Get There
Due to its placement on a station platform, the memorial is open for visitors 24 hours a day. Generally the best time to visit Berlin is in the warmer, drier months of May through September.
The Layout of the Memorial
Architects Nikolaus Hirsch, Wolfgang Lorch, and Andrea Wandel created the simple design of the Gleis 17 memorial, which consists of 186 large, steel sheets laid side by side. Each sheet is cast with the date of transport (in chronological order), the number of deportees, and their final destination. The trees and vegetation surrounding the platform have been left to grow as a reminder that no train will ever depart from Track 17 again.
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