Arolsen Archives
International Center on Nazi Persecution
Photo: Arolsen Archives
The Arolsen Archives are the International Center on Nazi Persecution and have the most extensive archive in the world on victims and survivors of the Nazi regime. This collection with information on about 17.5 million people belongs to the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. It contains documents on the different groups victimised by the Nazi regime and is an important source of knowledge, in particular for the younger generations.
Every year, the Arolsen Archives respond to enquiries concerning about 20,000 persons persecuted by the Nazis. The centre's programmes for research and education are more important than ever in order to carry the knowledge of the Holocaust, of concentration camps, forced labour and the consequences of the Nazi crimes into society today. The Arolsen Archives are establishing an extensive online archive and make the documents accessible worldwide.
Memory of the World
The original documents and the central card file of names in the archive with a total of about 30 million documents became part of the UNESCO Memory of the World in 2013.
Permanent exhibition: "Ein Denkmal aus Papier"
The permanent exhibition will be closed from 20.11.2024 to 31.01.2025 due to renovation measures!
The Arolsen Archives located at:
Schloßstraße 10
34454 Bad Arolsen
include a permanent exhibition about the creation of the archive and documentation centre for Nazi persecution, and about survivors who were freed and their stories.
The opening times are below. Groups can request appointments by e-mailing visitorgroup@arolsen-archives.org.
| Tuesday | 14.00 to 17.00 h |
| Wednesday | 14.00 to 17.00 h |
| Thursday | 14.00 to 17.00 h |
| Friday | 14.00 to 17.00 h |
| Saturday | 14.00 to 17.00 h |
On-site research
Interested parties can use the digital archive in the reading rooms in order to conduct research and/or work in the library. This opportunity is typically used by scientists or in the context of pedagogical projects. However, private individuals can also use the research facilities.
The reading rooms are equipped with a total of 19 computer workstations. A large part of the data has been digitised and can be viewed in the digital archive.
For administrative reasons, it is important that users first complete a research request form and then set up an appointment for their visit. This is also necessary because our staff must provide visitors with an introduction in how to use the database and the available research options.
Of course, non-digitised data are also available for use. However, in this case, retrieval times must be factored in.
On-site family history
Survivors of Nazi persecution as well as relatives of Nazi victims can request a visit to the Arolsen Archives, specifying the research performed, in order to view the original documents that still exist.
Please contact us using the specified contact details to set up an appointment.
Every document tells a story
photo: Uwe Zucchi
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Online archive
Go to search website of Arolsen Archives Online Collections with more than 30 million original documents of the UNESCO Memory of the World
"May this archive, which serves as restitution for the victims and their families, be a warning to all future generations to never again allow such a horror to afflict humanity."
Quote from the “deed of purpose” in three languages, embedded on 20 August 1952 in the walls of the main building at the topping-out ceremony.
Contact
Arolsen Archives
Große Allee 5 – 9
34454 Bad Arolsen
+49 5691 6290
+49 5691 629501
https://arolsen-archives.org/
Anschrift
Stadt Bad Arolsen
- Der Magistrat -
Große Allee 24
34454 Bad Arolsen