Memorials are a significant expression of collective public memory and values. In this virtual city tour, we ask questions about what can be learned from two types of memorials in Munich’s streets relating to the Nazi era, the ones dedicated to victims of National Socialism and the ones commemorating specific acts of resistance against the regime.

The process of commemorating both victims and resisters is ongoing in Germany to this day. Munich, the city that witnessed the birth of the Nazi movement, has attempted to come to terms with its past in various ways, one of which is public memorialization.

During this virtual tour, we will show you the memorials dedicated to the White Rose resistance group, the Viscardigasse memorial about silent defiance of Munich’s citizens to the Nazis, and several memorials to the persecuted including the Square for the Victims of National Socialism, the Stumbling Stones, and the Path of Memory. As we discuss the history and development of these sites and their symbolism, some of the struggles associated with the memory of the Nazi period will become apparent. Although we do not promise all the answers, we hope you will come away with a deeper understanding of the complexity of collective memory and public commemoration in Munich.