Visiting the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds
Read our travel guide on Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg, Germany. It includes tips on what to expect, what to see, how to get, where to stay, and when to go.
Situated in the city of Nuremberg, Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, or Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelande in German, was probably a museum with the longest name we've ever visited.
And despite the fact that it was being renovated during our visit, it was still packed with tons of information about National Socialists, the Third Reich, the City of Nuremberg, and Germany before and during WW2.
If you like history, Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is among the best places to visit in Nuremberg.
The museum is part of the much larger megalomaniacal complex made by the main German architect of that era, Albert Speer, so there are a few more places worth seeing while there.
Without any further ado, here's everything you need to know about Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds before you go.
How to Visit Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds
Visiting the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is very straightforward.
This is a traditional museum that contains tons of information on German WW2 history.
The tricky part is that the museum is basically part of the much larger complex, so there are a few more places worth seeing while there.
Honestly, we had no idea what places we'd actually see when we got there. The reason couldn't be simpler.
The city of Nuremberg wasn't exactly sure what to do with the whole area for a relatively long time. Sure, it's a race ring, stadium, museum, etc.
But the history behind it is not something you can simply erase.
Things are changing, and with the latest efforts, this historical site offers a comprehensive learning experience about German Nazi history.
Below, you will find our impressions of the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds and also all the nearby historical sites we've visited.
Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Reichsparteitagsgelande)
The former Nazi Party Rally Grounds was originally a recreation area in the 1920s, an idea that was adopted also after WW2.
In the 1930s, it was used by the National Socialists during their massive party rallies.
There are currently more than 20 panels, both in German and English, telling the story of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
This educational trail goes around the Great Dutzendteich Lake, a large water reservoir built in the 14th century.
You can see some additional things along the way, like the cornerstone of the megalomaniacal project that was the German Stadium for 400.000 thousand spectators.
Zeppelinfield Grandstand (Zeppelintribune)
Our first stop of the day was actually not the museum itself but nearby Zeppelinfield, an extensive area named after Count Zeppelin's airship, which landed here in 1909.
It was on our way from Regensburg, so it only made sense to stop there first.
The convenient location of free parking right beside this spot was another big plus for us.
Zeppelinfield is one of those places that requires some basic knowledge from your side to fully understand what this huge area was about and why it was built.
Luckily, the installed panels contain everything you will need to know about this place.
We got there early in the morning, and our first impression was that it was very tranquil. Few runners, inline skaters, cyclists, RC enthusiasts, a group of bikers, and a handful of tourists thinly spread around this concrete vastness (approximately 312x285 meters) would not give away that Zeppelinfield could host more than 250.000 people.
You've read right.
Zeppelinfield, as well as other sites in this area, was built with one purpose in mind.
To show the unity and power of the National Socialists.
You will recognize this place if you have seen at least one documentary film about Hitler or WW2 Germany.
He gave speeches to the crowd from these exact stands during the staged party rallies from 1933 onward.
The massive swastika was blown up on April 22, 1945, during the victory parade by the U.S. Army, and the collonade was demolished in the following years. Zeppelinfield is accessible without a guide.
By the way, Goldener Saal is only accessible with a guided tour, but this should change in the near future.
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelande)
Now was time to visit the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. We left our car behind and took a 10-minute stroll to the museum entrance.
The museum was still undergoing renovations at the time of our visit, so they moved everything into a single hall.
We were a bit skeptical about the whole experience, but despite the spartan conditions, it turned out great.
In fact, the museum contained tons of information on the Party Rallies, Rally Grounds, the Weimar Republic, the City of Nuremberg, and the German people.
Even though the original permanent exhibition Fascination and Terror must have been much more complex, this exhibition was still great, and we wished we had more time to spend there.
Probably the main downside was that the museum felt a bit cramped, despite the fact there were not that many people around.
The full experience must be much more immersive and calmer.
On the other hand, the whole experience was much more condensed, and we didn't feel overwhelmed as in places such as the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
Useful Tips
The museum advises that the exhibition is unsuitable for children under 14 years old.
Photography is allowed at Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
Congress Hall (Kongresshalle)
The museum is housed in the northern wing of the Congress Hall, a huge stadium-like structure that immediately reminded us of the Colosseum in Rome.
Despite the obvious resemblance, the construction started in 1937, so it's not a Roman structure but just another megalomaniacal project that could accommodate more than 50.000 people.
The structure was never finished.
After WW2, there were several ideas about what to do with this massive building.
Today, the south wing is home to Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, while the north wing houses Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
Luitpold Grove (Luitpoldhain)
Then we crossed the busy Bayernstraße and headed toward the Luitpoldhain.
This large city park is an oasis of greenery and offers easy walking trails today.
The park, named after Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold, was home to Luitpold Hall, which was originally built to display MAN vehicles in 1906.
The National Socialists remodeled it between 1933 and 1935 into a large convention center used for Party Rallies.
The hall was destroyed in 1942 during an air raid and never rebuilt after the war ended.
Still, there are a few information panels containing all the information you need about this site.
Another place worth seeing in Luitpold Park is the Memorial Hall (Hall of Honor).
This memorial was originally built during the Weimar Republic to commemorate the 9855 Nuremberg soldiers killed in WW1.
Unlike the hall, the Hall of Honor still stands, and you can find it on the park's east side.
Great Avenue (Große Straße)
The last place we visited before heading back to our car was the Great Avenue.
This historical street was supposed to be a marching ground, though it was never used this way as WW2 broke out.
The numbers behind this road are hard to comprehend: a 60-meter wide and 2-kilometer-long street paved with around 60.000 granite slabs.
The street is symbolically aligned with the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg, which we had the chance to visit later in the day.
Unlike some other projects, this road was mostly finished and served as a temporary airfield for the U.S. Army.
Today, it's used as a parking lot for major events that are held in this area.
Then we returned to our car and drove to Memorium Nuremberg Trials, another interesting WW2 museum.
Opening Hours
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds are 10 AM to 6 PM from Monday to Sunday.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is €6 per adult.
We found the price ticket very reasonable, especially for those visiting Germany on a budget.
How Much Time Do I Need
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is one of those places where you can easily spend anything between 60 minutes to several hours.
The length of your visit depends on your interest in WW2 Germany and overall history.
We believe that two hours at Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds should be more than enough for an average visitor.
This will give you enough time to soak in all the essential information without losing concentration (though this is highly individual).
Don't forget that you can also visit additional places within this area that will add at least another hour or two to your itinerary.
When to Go
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is open to visitors year-round (we visited the museum in April).
We don't have to mention that museums are one of the best places to visit in the off-season or if the weather doesn't cooperate during your trip.
Remember that the outdoor area is relatively large, and if you visit Nazi Party Rally Grounds on a rainy day, the visit could be miserable.
Travel Insurance
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Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
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What to Pack
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is a traditional museum, so just wear something casual, comfortable, and appropriate.
Keep in mind that you can spend quite some time walking outdoors, so pack according to the weather.
A rain jacket and a few extra layers will come in handy outside the summer season.
We also brought our comfortable daypack to store a water bottle, snack, and other essentials.
How to Get There
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is located in the southeast of Nuremberg, about 4 kilometers from the city center.
There are several ways to get to Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, including by car, tram, bus, bike, or foot.
Car
Getting to Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds by car is easy, especially if you're driving from another city.
The museum is about two hours from Munich, 60 minutes from Regensburg, 90 minutes from Wurzburg, and two hours from Augsburg.
You can rent a car in every one of these destinations for your Bavaria road trip adventure.
Parking
We left our car at Parkplatz Zeppelinfeld, a free parking about 700 meters from the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
This parking is, as the name suggests, right by the Zeppelinfeld. There is currently no designated parking lot directly at Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
Tram
If you're already in Nuremberg, leaving your car parked in the garage and using public transport instead is better.
When it comes to public transport, the easiest and quickest way to get Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds from Nuremberg's city center is by tram.
From Nurnberg Hbf (the main train station on the edge of the old town), take tram 8 to Doku-Zentrum, a stop right in front of the museum.
You can also take a bus to Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, but the tram is a faster and more convenient option.
Bike
Nuremberg is a relatively bike-friendly city, so it's not surprising that you can get to Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds by bike as well.
Just rent a bike in Nuremberg's city center and follow one of the cycling trails to get there.
On foot
You could theoretically tackle those 4 kilometers on foot, but we believe that the journey won't be very enjoyable.
Instead, use the transport of your choice and explore the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds surrounding area on foot instead.
Where to Stay
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is about 4 kilometers southeast of Nuremberg's Altstadt.
You can find a few well-rated hotels within a short distance from Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
One of the biggest upsides of this location is that it feels more quiet and relaxing.
You don't need to worry about transportation as you can get from the museum to the city center in about 10 minutes.
Obviously, we still prefer a centrally located hotel that provides access to all the major sights Nuremberg has to offer. As usual, the choice is yours.
So here are tips on top-rated hotels near Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.
Ramada Nurnberg Parkhotel | This popular 4-star hotel is adjacent to Luitpoldhain Park, about a 10-minute walk from the museum. It has comfortable rooms, great food, spa facilities, a swimming pool, and paid private parking.
Congress Hotel Mercure Nurnberg an der Messe | This contemporary hotel in nearby Volkspark Dutzendteich has air-conditioned rooms, a modern restaurant, and friendly staff. It is located about a 20-minute walk from the museum.
Park Inn by Radisson Nurnberg | If you want to stay in the city center, this Park Inn by Radisson is one of the most popular hotels in the area. It has cozy rooms, a sauna, a fitness room, and a paid underground garage. The museum is about a 20-minute tram ride from the hotel.
Is the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds Worth Visiting?
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds is one of the most interesting museums in Nuremberg, and if you're into WW2, it's definitely worth seeing.
The museum shows the rise of National Socialists, the Third Reich idea, the development of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, propaganda, and tons of other interesting information.
Plus, you can explore the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, which also contain sites like the Zeppelinfield, Congress Hall, and Luitpoldhain.
The whole complex is walkable and serves as a learning experience, another piece of the puzzle of one of the darkest times in human history that should never be repeated.
Even though this is not KZ Dachau or Auschwitz-Birkenau, the whole experience can be quite overwhelming.
If you're in Nuremberg and more interested in general German history, art, culture, etc., the Germanisches Nationalmuseum should be on your list.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
