On the trail of the Stasi: Discover the secret city in Halle!

On the trail of the Stasi: Discover the secret city in Halle!

A very special event is coming: On September 9, 2025, the “secret city within the city” in Halle will open to interested citizens. The mysterious place, which is not shown on the official city map, was once the seat of the Stasi district administration and promises exciting insights into the dark sides of German history. How bundesarchiv.de reports, the tour of the former Stasi agency will be part of the series “On the Road in the Archives”.

Those interested can look forward to a comprehensive tour of the outdoor area, which is offered during the summer months - by no means just on one day. Informative insights into the work of the Stasi records archive and a tour of the extensive area, which served as an isolated microcosm of the secret police, are planned.

Insights into the dark past

During the tour, participants not only receive an overview of the history of the Stasi, but are also allowed to visit the information and documentation center. The permanent exhibition “Deciphered Power” and temporary exhibitions such as “Leseland GDR” and “Women in Divided Germany” await you there. These exhibits were created in collaboration with the Federal Foundation for Reprocessing and offer an insightful look at the methods of surveillance and repression that the Ministry for State Security (MfS) practiced over decades.

Smaller anecdotes from the history of the Stasi often contain shocking details: During surveillance, people were not only spied on, but also directly harassed and intimidated. How planet-wissen.de As explained, the Stasi under Erich Mielke, its longest incumbent from 1957 to 1989, adopted brutal methods to control the population. Over 189,000 unofficial employees and more than 90,000 full-time employees were part of this surveillance system, which ranged from reporting to outright intimidation tactics.

Organization and registration

The number of participants on the outdoor tour is limited, so please register by phone at (030) 18665-2711 or by email halle.stasimodellearchiv@bundesarchiv.de is required. In case of bad weather conditions, an alternative tour of the archive and information center will be offered. Anyone who would like to learn more about the dark times of the Stasi should bring a valid ID document to confirm their identity.

A particular concern of the organizers is to bring this once secret institution closer to a wider audience and to show what everyday life was like under the surveillance and mistrust of the Stasi. In the long term, a cooperative is even planning to convert the site into a democracy and education center, which could make the place even more important. A living place of learning and remembrance could be created here that stimulates reflection and informs future generations.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn more about the Stasi, its methods and history and to deal with the times of mistrust and control. Interest in the history of the GDR and its surveillance practices is timeless and is kept alive through events like this.