German-Russian Museum

　　The German-Russian Museum is a memorial site commemorating the signing of Germany’s unconditional surrender on the evening of May 8, 1945, which ended World War II. The building that houses the museum was originally constructed between 1936 and 1938 as an officers’ casino for the German Army Engineer School. In late April 1945, during the Battle of Berlin, the Soviet Army’s 5th Shock Army used this location as their headquarters and set up camp here. Since the building had remained largely undamaged during the war, it was chosen as the site for the German surrender.

　　After the war, the building served as the residence for the Soviet military administration in Germany, later being used by other Soviet military services. From 1967 to 1994, it was converted into a museum showcasing the Soviet capture of Berlin and the German surrender. Following the Soviet withdrawal from Berlin, it became the German-Russian Museum, reflecting the end of Nazi rule. It has three floors with a total of 16 exhibition halls, displaying over 15,000 artifacts and documents. One particularly noteworthy exhibit is the room where the surrender was signed, preserved as it was at the time and featuring the original signed unconditional surrender document in English, German, and Russian. Outside in the courtyard, several wartime tanks, trucks, and other military vehicles are also on display.

　　German-Russian Museum Must-visit reason: The most commemorative site marking the end of World War II Continent: Europe [Europe] Country/Region: Germany [Germany] Province/State: Berlin [Berlin] City: Berlin [Berlin]