The former house prison of the Gestapo with its remaining prison cells and the inscriptions by the prisoners is the most immediate and intense reminder of the terror of the NS period linked to the EL-DE House. The former Gestapo prison as a memorial is the core of the NS Documentation Centre and represents a cultural asset of national and European significance.
Establishing and new design
For the most part, the Gestapo house prison remained in its original condition after the war; only two separating walls in the cell block were torn down. However, this was not done out of respect for the history of the building. The cells were simply used as filing and storage space, they were dry and could be locked – thus fulfilling another function. For decades, the former prison – like the entire house – could have been torn down or completely refurbished without any problem, as it was not listed as a historic monument. Therefore it is thanks to a number of coincidences that this place remained in such authentic condition: both during the war and then afterwards.
The house prison in the EL-DE House
Immediately after taking over the EL-DE House, the Gestapo built its house prison in the basement of the building. It was supposed to serve as a temporary holding cell where the Gestapo would interrogate prisoners. Inscriptions, however, prove that some prisoners had to spend several weeks and even months in these cells.
Prison and living conditions (according to former prisoners)
Some 1,800 inscriptions and drawings done by prisoners have survived on the cell walls. They were written with pencil or chalk, sometimes even with lipstick; or scratched into the cell walls with iron nails, screws or even the prisoner's fingernails. The former Gestapo prison and the prisoners’ cell wall scribblings, are perhaps the most immediate and powerful reminders of the Nazi horrors linked to the EL-DE building.
Adress
Appellhofplatz 23-25
D-50667 Köln
+49-0221/2212-6332
Guided Tours: +49-0221/2212-6331
nsdok@stadt-koeln.de
