German-Russian Museum
German-Russian Museum
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Karlshorst
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4.5
183 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
53
Average
8
Poor
5
Terrible
2
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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brixton456
Indianapolis, IN314 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This is the site of the official German surrender on May 8, 1945 that set off all the street celebrations across Europe (the Reims document was signed the day before). The main conference room is set up almost exactly as it appeared during the signing of the surrender. A video plays overhead on a big screen showing the historic event. The museum is very nicely maintained and well laid out with multiple exhibits. One of the more interesting ones to me was an adjacent room that served as Marshal Zhukov's office in the years following WW2 complete with the desk he used and a uniform of his.
On the museum grounds sits several Soviet military pieces including a T-34 tank. Again, the event that took place in this very building is what officially ended the war in Europe and set of the V-E Day celebrations. Therefore, this site is a must visit for any history buff. It was about a 35 minute Bolt ride from the Brandenburg Gate.
On the museum grounds sits several Soviet military pieces including a T-34 tank. Again, the event that took place in this very building is what officially ended the war in Europe and set of the V-E Day celebrations. Therefore, this site is a must visit for any history buff. It was about a 35 minute Bolt ride from the Brandenburg Gate.
Written 26 August 2024
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.
Michael A
14 contributions
Jun 2022
This is quite a small museum and it‘s quite hard to get to. I ended up skipping the inside exhibition due to time and only looking around the outside, which had some really thought-provoking and informative information about the treatment of Soviet POWs and labourers during WW2. Would recommend a visit if you‘re into WW2 history.
Written 29 June 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.
Zosia B
Waterloo, Belgium1,470 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Small but well laid out and thoughtfully designed museum. A bit off the beaten path but admission is free so worth a quick visit if you are in the area. The website has not been updated to reflect changes in COVID restrictions.
Written 7 April 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.
Ben V
Maarssen, The Netherlands2,212 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
The Ukrainian flag in top when we arrived. About 700 mtr walk from s bahn station Karlshorst. The place where the capitulation took place, entirely in the state of that time. Around it some inside information, interesting and clear.
Automatically translated
Written 18 September 2024
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.
Stephen H
Brussels, Belgium465 contributions
Aug 2022
Way off the beaten path - neighbourhood is residential and bus access. Parking available. Happy to see the UKR flag outside. Nice outside display of armour and vehicles. Inside was ok. Somber atmosphere with the present world situation.
Written 27 August 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.
VarvaraK
Moscow, Russia159 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
This museum lies away from main tourist attractions, but I am sure it will give you a lot to think about. The entrance is free. The only effort from your side would be getting to Karlshorst.
This modest looking building preserves enormous amount of documents, photographs and artifacts , showing the war at the Eastern front and life of Soviet citizens during the war. Sacrifices that Soviet people went through were immense. One of the most moving exhibits were the cartoons of one of the prisoners in a camp. One can only imagine, how strong a person should be to keep up with a sense of humor under the circumstances...
http://www.museum-karlshorst.de/
This modest looking building preserves enormous amount of documents, photographs and artifacts , showing the war at the Eastern front and life of Soviet citizens during the war. Sacrifices that Soviet people went through were immense. One of the most moving exhibits were the cartoons of one of the prisoners in a camp. One can only imagine, how strong a person should be to keep up with a sense of humor under the circumstances...
http://www.museum-karlshorst.de/
Written 11 March 2012
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.
VikramVI
Berlin, Germany371 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
This museum is strictly for those who love history and particularly want to know what had happened in Russian during WW2.
With tons of photographs and as much detailed information , you will feel as if reading from a war correspondent about events happened during those traumatic years.
It is easily reachable by public transport. In case you want to read each and every document it will take surely a day , but even for having quick glance you will need minimum 4 hours. Also there are plenty of audio recordings from the people who actually were part of war.
There are few military vehicles kept in the garden , don't forget to visit them.
As this museum is setup by Russians , you will mainly find facts from Russian point of view. No where they mentioned about bad behaviour by Russians in Germany in last few months of war. Obviously victorious people always write the history.
Museum doesn't have a cafeteria , do carry your own food and drinks.
With tons of photographs and as much detailed information , you will feel as if reading from a war correspondent about events happened during those traumatic years.
It is easily reachable by public transport. In case you want to read each and every document it will take surely a day , but even for having quick glance you will need minimum 4 hours. Also there are plenty of audio recordings from the people who actually were part of war.
There are few military vehicles kept in the garden , don't forget to visit them.
As this museum is setup by Russians , you will mainly find facts from Russian point of view. No where they mentioned about bad behaviour by Russians in Germany in last few months of war. Obviously victorious people always write the history.
Museum doesn't have a cafeteria , do carry your own food and drinks.
Written 24 November 2014
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.
CatsAustralia
Melbourne, Australia243 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
I found this one of the best WW II museums I have visited. Admission is free and an Audio Guide is also provided. Go to S-Bahn Karshorst (S3) and take the 296 Bus which stops at the front door. TIP FOR ALL MUSEUMS - take your own earbuds or overhead headphones to save holding the Audio Guide to your ear for your whole tour.
The museum deals with German - Soviet relations from the Russian Revolution in 1917 to 1990 with a focus on WW II and how 20 million Russians died as a result of the War. The burning of villages, crops and the inhuman treatment of civilians and prisoners of war as the Germans advanced and retreated is dealt with graphically and explains to some extent what has been perceived as Russian excesses in Germany and Berlin as the invading Russians captured the eastern part of Germany and Berlin. It also details how prisoners of war were not repatriated until well after the war finished and in some cases not until 1955. Prisoners of war were not welcomed home by either Country.
This is where the German Armed forces commanders ratified and confirmed the unconditional German surrender and the room is untouched from that day.An historic film is screened. It is also from where the joint Allied forces administered Berlin after WW II until the agreement fell apart in the late 1940's. From this date it was the Russian command centre for East Berlin and East Germany.
To do it justice you need to spend at least half a day, but don't be dissuaded from spending a shorter time.
Most displays come with English translations, but the Audio Guide also greatly assists.
Outside there is a display of Russian tanks and military trucks.
I rate this as a must visit for those interested in WW II history.
The museum deals with German - Soviet relations from the Russian Revolution in 1917 to 1990 with a focus on WW II and how 20 million Russians died as a result of the War. The burning of villages, crops and the inhuman treatment of civilians and prisoners of war as the Germans advanced and retreated is dealt with graphically and explains to some extent what has been perceived as Russian excesses in Germany and Berlin as the invading Russians captured the eastern part of Germany and Berlin. It also details how prisoners of war were not repatriated until well after the war finished and in some cases not until 1955. Prisoners of war were not welcomed home by either Country.
This is where the German Armed forces commanders ratified and confirmed the unconditional German surrender and the room is untouched from that day.An historic film is screened. It is also from where the joint Allied forces administered Berlin after WW II until the agreement fell apart in the late 1940's. From this date it was the Russian command centre for East Berlin and East Germany.
To do it justice you need to spend at least half a day, but don't be dissuaded from spending a shorter time.
Most displays come with English translations, but the Audio Guide also greatly assists.
Outside there is a display of Russian tanks and military trucks.
I rate this as a must visit for those interested in WW II history.
Written 7 July 2014
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.
ImASunseekerMe
Bournemouth, UK463 contributions
Aug 2011 • Solo
The building is quite ordinary, but having a tank on the front lawn, gives it away as an important museum.
I would agree with the review by Rockee. I was interested to learn about the war on the Eastern Front. So many millions of Russian people, whether soldiers, or more often, just ordinary civilians, were either killed, or starved to death. There is a selection of artefacts on 2 floors, and in the basement of the building. All the displays have descriptions in either German or Russian, though, you can collect a folder with lots of information in English from reception. There were not many people there during the time of my visit, and I would guess it’s not top of many people’s list. However, I’m really glad I made the trip, to piece together some more 20th Century history.
Some memorable things
The fact that Stalin never believed, nor trusted Hitler despite their “non-aggression pact”. Stalin was just waiting for Hitler to make his move, whilst preparing his army!
The cartoon postcards sketched by an English artist, David Low.
In hindsight, how innocent these cartoons appeared to be, just at the outbreak of the 2nd World war.
I liked the card which shows a 'News of the World' newspaper seller with his billboard which read 'War declared' and then, rather amusingly underneath, "(Official)" - just in case anyone should have any doubts about the authenticity of this headline being touted by such a quality paper!
Well worth a visit!
I would agree with the review by Rockee. I was interested to learn about the war on the Eastern Front. So many millions of Russian people, whether soldiers, or more often, just ordinary civilians, were either killed, or starved to death. There is a selection of artefacts on 2 floors, and in the basement of the building. All the displays have descriptions in either German or Russian, though, you can collect a folder with lots of information in English from reception. There were not many people there during the time of my visit, and I would guess it’s not top of many people’s list. However, I’m really glad I made the trip, to piece together some more 20th Century history.
Some memorable things
The fact that Stalin never believed, nor trusted Hitler despite their “non-aggression pact”. Stalin was just waiting for Hitler to make his move, whilst preparing his army!
The cartoon postcards sketched by an English artist, David Low.
In hindsight, how innocent these cartoons appeared to be, just at the outbreak of the 2nd World war.
I liked the card which shows a 'News of the World' newspaper seller with his billboard which read 'War declared' and then, rather amusingly underneath, "(Official)" - just in case anyone should have any doubts about the authenticity of this headline being touted by such a quality paper!
Well worth a visit!
Written 22 September 2011
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.
Rockeee
Farnborough84 contributions
Apr 2011 • Couples
Situated in a leafy residential suburb of Berlin, this rather old fashioned and completely deserted museum gave a fascinating insight to WW2 history on the Eastern Front. This building was where the Germans signed the unconditional surrender of the German armed forces, following the Battle of Berlin, thus ending the war in Europe in April 1945. The many displays chronicle the history of the war from the Soviet perspective, including the massive loss of life on both sides. The actual room where the Armistice was signed has been preserved. Although the museum descriptions are in German, you are given an English guide as you come in. It is free of charge. We took the tube to S Bahn Karlshorst and walked (it's about 15 mins) but caught the bus back to the station afterwards. It put what happened later to Berlin and East Germany under Soviet rule into context.
Written 24 August 2011
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.
Previously tried to get to this museum and gave up about half way there! Can someone give detailed directions from, say, Ku'dam?
Written 5 April 2017
Hi. I downloaded the BVG app which is brilliant and bought the 3 day travel pass for trains and buses which is great value. I guess you could do Uber which works well in Berlin but will cost more than a 3 day pass. Hope this helps. It is well worth the visit. No airbrushing WW2 here!
Written 6 April 2017
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