The archive holds documents from the Ministry of State Security for the former administrative region of Dresden. There are eight kilometres of archived written documents and a great number of images and sound recordings, but also such bizarre reminders of the Stasi's activities as preserving jars containing specimens of the scents of GDR citizens who had been critical of the system. These documents and other items are evidence not only of surveillance and humiliation by the secret police but also of the bravery and civil courage of many people in the GDR. On guided tours of the archive, the filing systems are explained, examples of written documents are shown, and documents in the form of video or sound recordings are played. Interested persons can moreover apply to inspect particular files.
Dresden branch of the archives of the former East German secret police
Address
Riesaer Straße 7
01129 Dresden
Opening hours
Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm, Sat by previous arrangement
Prices
Admission free of charge
Offers
guided toursspecial exhibitionslectures
Acceptance of applications and advice to citizens for inspection of the file, projects for school pupils, further training for teachers, lectures on the work of the state security, sale of publications
Lectures, projects for school classes (half-day to several days) with original sources Training for multipliers, educators such as guided tours of the archive area (by previous arrangement) Supervision of bachelor's and master's theses on topics related to the history of the GDR dictatorship
Information and guided tours of the Stasi archive in English by previous arrangement Travelling exhibition "Autumn 1989" in Czech (on request)
handicapped accessible in all areas, handicapped accessible toilet
