Day of Open Monuments at the Documentation Center Gelsenkirchen

A historical tour on the Day of Open Monuments

The Documentation Center Gelsenkirchen in the National Socialist era opens its doors on September 13, 2026, for the Day of Open Monuments for a guided tour through an authentic memorial site. The exhibition in a former police building from 1907, which during the Nazi era was the headquarters of the NSDAP local group leadership Buer-Erle, combines architectural history, political education, and local memory culture in a compelling way. Participation is free of charge. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/kultur/museen_und_dauerausstellungen/dokumentationsstaette_gelsenkirchen_im_nationalsozialismus/index.aspx))

A place where history remains visible

At the center of the permanent exhibition is the engagement with the Nazi regime using Gelsenkirchen as an example. It spans seven rooms and makes it clear how much power, everyday life, and urban history were intertwined. Particularly striking is the wall inscription of the 25-point program of the NSDAP from 1920, which has been under monument protection since the early 1990s and shapes the historical space with oppressive directness. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/kultur/museen_und_dauerausstellungen/dokumentationsstaette_gelsenkirchen_im_nationalsozialismus/index.aspx))

An educational place with a clear stance

The Documentation Center sees itself not only as an exhibition site but also as a place of political education. Schools, youth groups, adult groups, and individual visitors find a way to access the local history of National Socialism here. Tours by arrangement, project support, seminars, and the use of the on-site library are part of the offerings and underline the educational aspiration of the institution. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/kultur/museen_und_dauerausstellungen/dokumentationsstaette_gelsenkirchen_im_nationalsozialismus/index.aspx))

The Day of Open Monuments as a cultural stage

The Day of Open Monuments is the largest cultural event in Germany and has been coordinated nationwide by the German Foundation for Monument Protection since 1993. The motto for 2026 is NETWORKS: Monuments & Infrastructure. In Gelsenkirchen, this idea can be experienced at a memorial site where urban history, architectural heritage, and historical responsibility come together closely. The tour from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM offers a concentrated, educational, and atmospherically dense examination of the historical site. ([denkmalschutz.de](https://www.denkmalschutz.de/denkmale-erleben/tag-des-offenen-denkmals.html?utm_source=openai))

Visit with orientation

The Documentation Center is located at Cranger Straße 323 in Gelsenkirchen-Erle. Regular opening hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as well as by appointment; the facility is closed on holidays and public holidays. Visiting the exhibition and participating in tours are free of charge. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/kultur/museen_und_dauerausstellungen/dokumentationsstaette_gelsenkirchen_im_nationalsozialismus/index.aspx))

Conclusion: For those who wish to experience history not abstractly but at the original location, an impressive artistic experience in the broader sense of cultural education can be found here: a place of remembrance, learning, and contemplation. The tour on the Day of Open Monuments is worth it for anyone who appreciates historical depth, clear communication, and a responsible exhibition atmosphere. A visit on-site makes the significance of this monument immediately tangible. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/kultur/museen_und_dauerausstellungen/dokumentationsstaette_gelsenkirchen_im_nationalsozialismus/index.aspx))

Official channels of the Institute for City History Gelsenkirchen:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stadtgelsenkirchen/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/StadtGelsenkirchen
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GelsenkirchenStadt
• Website: https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/bildung/Ausserschulische_Bildung/Institut_fuer_Stadtgeschichte/

Sources:

• Documentation Center Gelsenkirchen in the National Socialist era - City of Gelsenkirchen
• Institute for City History - City of Gelsenkirchen
• Event Calendar Day of Open Monuments 2026 - City of Gelsenkirchen
• Day of Open Monuments - German Foundation for Monument Protection