Karlshorst Museum

The Karlshorst Museum was erected by the Nazis as a military institution for young engineers. The building also served as barracks. By May of 1945, the city of Berlin has suffered severe damage due to allied bombing. This meant that there were few places for the signing of German surrender to take place. Karlshorst was chosen as it has little damage and was located in the outskirts of the city. On May 8th, 1945, the German capitulation was signed at Karlshorst. The below picture is know known as the surrender room when the capitulation was signed. This was one of my favorite parts of the exhibit because of May 8th, 1945.   

After the war, the soviets occupied Karlshorst. Beginning in 1967 until after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the museum served as a museum for Russian soldiers to display why they should be protecting their fatherland. The museum was only open to Russian soldiers and military personal at this time.  

 Karlshorst is considered an exterritorial property to the Russians. In 1995, the German government and Russian government came together and opened the museum to the public which displays history from both sides. Any decisions made about the museum must be passed by Germany and Russia in order to put into action. I found that is was also a very interesting aspect to the museum.