Gedenk- und Begegnungsstatte Leistikowstrasse
Gedenk- und Begegnungsstatte Leistikowstrasse
4.5
Tuesday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Leistikow Strasse memorial commemorates the former Soviet military counterintelligence central remand prison that was once located here. There are few historical prisons so authentically preserved. While the mass cells and facilities in the upper floors reveal the conditions in the 1970s, the primitive basement cells with their crude wooden benches testify to the privations endured by prisoners well into the 1950s. Numerous inscriptions carved into the walls by detainees from that time speak of isolation and desperation as well as resilience. The permanent exhibition is illustrated with photographs, endowed with historical artefacts and equipped with media stations that reveal the prison’s story within the wider drama of the Cold War. Fifty biographies have been unearthed, showing just how many different people became inmates, from Nazi-era perpetrators to spies – both real and falsely accused - and Soviet army deserters. Some of them give eyewitness accounts of their fates.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
35 reviews
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25
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6
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4
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Jonny Whitlam - Whitlam's Berlin Tours
Berlin, Germany17 contributions
Feb 2020
I booked both tours, which our fantastic guide Armin combined into one big tour for us. Armin gave us a tour of the former sealed-off Soviet town within Potsdam, gave us a wider context before the Soviets arrived, explained how the prisons worked, gave detailed biographies of some prisoners, and how a lot of the information available to us today came from one important defector.
Our group was made up of around 15 professional tour guides working in Berlin and Potsdam, and Armin impressed even us! Couldn't recommend booking a private tour here enough.
Thanks, Armin!
Our group was made up of around 15 professional tour guides working in Berlin and Potsdam, and Armin impressed even us! Couldn't recommend booking a private tour here enough.
Thanks, Armin!
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeckyTinsley
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany40 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
During the miserable years of the DDR (German Democratic Republic) the KGB took over a vast section of Potsdam, and (ironically) operated a prison and interrogation centre in a former charitable foundation. The torture centre has now been opened as a memorial to those Germans and Russians who were arrested, interrogated, tortured and killed by the occupying Soviet Union. The visitor walks through utterly creepy corridors into cells and interrogation rooms, kept as they were when the Soviets were in occupation. Now, each room has displays about the local people who were snatched away from their families, some never to be seen alive again. For instance, several school boys were killed there because they weren't enthusiastic about learning Russian at school. Another man spent years in a gulag because he took a short cut across some KGB land on his way home from the movies. Chilling, fascinating place that deserves more attention from those who care to recall recent history - and to bear in mind that the KGB's methods have not gone away.
Written May 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KMRadz
Shenandoah Valley, VA160 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
A short walk across the street from where the Potsdam Conference was held. This Cold War Spy Prison will amaze and astound - especially once you realize how this place was operational not that long ago. Doesn't require a lot of time but DO leave a donation at the entrance so this historical and tragic place will be preserved. This is a MUST see for young people who don't understand or can't appreciate that Freedom isn't free.
Written March 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike
Liverpool, UK88 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
After doing the Potsdam tour I left the group and went to visit this fascinating former KGB prison. The building is situated in what was Military Camp No. 7, requisitioned by the KGB after the war for its command centre in Germany. Entrance is free and you can explore the cells at your leisure. The multimedia displays show former prisoners giving first-hand accounts of their imprisonment and treatment at the hands of the Soviet occupation forces.
Written April 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
King Louis S
Perth, Australia429 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
A very interesting and informative museum. Part of World War 2 and Cold War history. How terrible it was. This is worth a visit. Very respectfully presented. Content is easy to read with English option available throughout. Easy 30 minute walk from the centre of Potsdam. Highly recommended.
Written January 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma M
Bristol, UK139 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Old KGB prison in the Forbidden City. Really informative and humbling experience. It's free to enter and not far from the bus stop. They also have guide sheets in English, although a lot of the information is also written in English.
Written October 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lambrettaman1960
Hastings, UK46 contributions
Sep 2022
Very thought provoking and atmospheric experience. Brought home the suffering of the people who didn't conform to Eastern Block doctrines. Not the happiest place to visit but it should be on your list, if only to remember the people who suffered here.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura L
Chicago, IL327 contributions
Sep 2019
You can take bus 603 from the center of Postdam - just a few stops past Cecilienhof - then walk back about 5 minutes from the busstop. I say this, because when you ask locals - most don't know this place exists! 2/3 did not. A man of about 70+ was the one who pointed the direction. This prison was in the center of a community. Can you imagine living in this area. I don't even want to think about being in the prison. Being there expressed alot - seeing - and the audio presentations of former inmates were thoughtful and poignant. I sincerely hope that by telling their stories, they feel heard and human again. They represent all that are not able to speak. I reflect on our current world situation and I do weep.
Written October 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas Winter
Magdeburg, Germany549 contributions
Aug 2023
The Leistikowstrasse Memorial and Meeting Place is located in Potsdam and is not that worth seeing and not that interesting.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hola,viajo a berlin el 24 de junio y estoy interesado en hacer esta visita a la antigua cárcel de la kgb,quisiera que me digeras los horarios y el precio y que me aconsejaras que visitar en postdam en 1 dia muchas gracias
Written March 9, 2016
Open Tuesday to Sunday. 1400 to 1800, as we found out when visiting it on a Monday. 😡
Written July 9, 2018
hola quisiera saber el horario de apertura y cierre de este memorial y si hay que pagar,y cuanto cuesta muchas gracias
Written February 15, 2016
No me acuerdo muy bien pero creo que era de 8 a 12 y de 13 a 18.
La visita es gratuita, pero si solicitas un guia, tendrás que abonar sus honorarios
Written February 16, 2016
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