Remember this building. The Museum in der Runden Ecke stands here. It was once the district headquarters of the Ministry for State Security. That was the Stasi in the GDR.
The Museum in der Runden Ecke tells a chilling story. It reveals the history, structure, and methods of the Stasi. This is a place where history feels very real.
From 1950 to 1989, this building was the heart of state surveillance in Leipzig. The Stasi watched over the people from here. They controlled every aspect of life.
But how did this building become the Stasi headquarters? It was built between 1911 and 1913. Hugo Licht and Karl Poser designed it for an insurance company. After World War II, the US Army used it briefly. Then, Soviet and Stasi predecessors moved in.
The building expanded in the 1980s. A large annex and a hidden courtyard were added. This expansion housed the Stasi and the German People’s Police.
The people of Leipzig took a stand on December 4, 1989. During the Monday demonstrations, they stormed the building. This act of courage paralyzed the Stasi.
Since August 1990, the Runde Ecke has been a museum. The exhibition “Stasi – Power and Banality” shows the Stasi’s impact. The Buergerkomitee Leipzig e. V. runs the museum.
The Stasi Records Agency also uses part of the building. They process and archive Stasi files here. There are about ten kilometers of files in Leipzig. During the Wave-Gothic-Treffen, there are special exhibits about the Stasi’s surveillance of the Gothic scene in the GDR.
Inside the Museum in der Runden Ecke, you will see strange items. There are Stasi uniforms, surveillance cameras, and shredders. You can see tools for secret mail checks. There are even fake postal stamps.
The museum shows how the Stasi controlled people. It reminds us of the importance of freedom.
The Museum in der Runden Ecke also acknowledges criticism. Some say the exhibit needs updating. Former DDR opposition members have offered to help.
When you visit the Museum in der Runden Ecke, you will see the past. You can learn about the Stasi’s impact on Leipzig. The “Runde Ecke” stands as a reminder. It reminds us to protect our freedoms. It reminds us to value democracy.