Former asylum in Erlangen to become a place of remembrance and learning

Feasibility study brings historical responsibility and the present together

A remembrance trail in the outside area, a coreexhibition in the main building of the former asylum combined with an annex showing the fate of those murdered there and an extensive educational program: An important milestone has been reached on the journey towards establishing a place of remembrance and learning dedicated to the victims of the Nazis’ “euthanasia” program. The steering committee consisting of experts from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), the City of Erlangen and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen has worked together with the Berlin agency chezweitz to draft a comprehensive feasibility study. Following the motto “remembrance, learning, life”, it outlines the possibility of establishing a vibrant and participative place for inclusive remembrance culture. The study concentrates on the location as a whole, focusing on interaction and the constant presence of remembrance in everyday life. The implementation of the project may cost up to 45 million euros and be completed by early 2030.

Linking historical responsibility with a vibrant culture of remembrance, cutting-edge medical research with interdisciplinary research into human rights, research into National Socialism, medical ethics and disability studies: The former asylum in Erlangen should be more than just a place of remembrance. Instead, against the backdrop of the medical crimes committed under the National Socialist regime, it should offer a place for reflecting on topical issues concerning everyday life, medical ethics and the shaping of society, now and in the future, opening the discussion up to a wider audience.

A Future Lab consisting of experts from the steering committee succeeded in winning the Berlin agency chezwitz for the project after a call for applications in May 2024. During a hybrid process, the stakeholders developed a concept that they have now presented as a feasibility study. The study will act as the basis for further conceptional work on planning the place of remembrance and learning in the former asylum. It is important to note that the feasibility study is not a final concept, instead, it explores the various opportunities and requirements for implementing a project of this nature in view of the buildings, concepts and target groups.

Analysis of the buildings as they stand at present

During the analysis of the situation at present, various plans and documents were read, analyzed and considered in conjunction with the findings from two walkthroughs conducted in April and May 2024. As is often the case with historical buildings that have a checkered history and have been altered for different uses over the years, the documentation tends to be patchy in places and it often proves difficult to inspect the actual (historical) structure of the building. Nevertheless, in this case, the documents and investigations provided a coherent picture of the existing building structure and its condition, providing a solid foundation for further planning.

Basic features of the concept: Inclusive remembrance culture and linking the past and the present

The aim behind establishing a place of remembrance and learning at the site of the former asylum in Erlangen is to encourage an inclusive remembrance culture dealing with the past and with current topics of medical ethics, disability studies and the legal processing of Nazi crimes.

The central issues are the approaches taken towards disability in the past, present and future, discussions in society concerning normality and deviations from normality and problematic issues surrounding ableism, i.e. the discrimination of people due to a disability.

The concept centers on a curatorial and an educational program that addresses a wide audience and encourages dialog on the topics mentioned above. Inclusive approaches are aimed at breaking down barriers and facilitating the individual development and social participation of all people. This includes ensuring the accessibility of buildings and making exhibitions inclusive.

Conceptual approach: Making the entire site into a place of remembrance

The place of remembrance and learning covers an extensive area. It is not restricted to the building at Schwabachanlage 10, but rather extends beyond that to the historical outdoor premises, making them visible and incorporating them into the visitor experience. Visitors start their remembrance journey on the site by following a trail of clues. First of all, their attention is drawn to the “remains” of the former buildings: The site becomes reminiscent of an archaeological site, the building that has become superimposed on and used for various purposes over the years morphs into a palimpsest, reflecting the various different stages in its history.

The outside area is designed as a trail of remembrance encouraging visitors to start approaching the asylum and its history. The trail stretches between the remaining buildings Schwabachanlage and Maximiliansplatz, both physically and thematically. Both buildings are significant locations. Maximiliansplatz is the historical point of arrival and the place dedicated to the perpetrators, while Schwabachanlage, where the crimes were committed, is dedicated to the victims.

The vision for the project requires both buildings to be incorporated into the trail of remembrance. The trail is planned to stretch from Maximiliansplatz 2 over an outside area incorporating the symbolic wall, a path of rights for disabled people, an inclusive café and various other installations to the remaining building Schwabachanlage 10, which is also the first exhibit in the basic exhibition. The blank spaces at the truncated side wings symbolize the attitude towards history after 1945.

This aspect is deliberately pursued with an annex in a different design from the existing building that will offer space for the necessary seminar rooms. By acting like a living archive, it gives a voice to the patients, provides access to all available information about those who were murdered and offers interactive archive, media and performance formats. It will also offer a starting point for people who want to investigate the fate of relatives in their own family history or those of acquaintances. That some support would be appreciated in this respect is indicated by the increasing interest in researching this topic among the general public.

Core exhibition: Checkered history of the site, historical context and current perspectives

The core exhibition deals with the checkered history of the asylum and focuses on specific events that characterized its past. Temporary exhibits, or “interludes”, will also be offered to give space to current topics and perspectives. In a bid to make history easier to understand, a deliberate effort will be made to include stakeholders including patients, medical staff and relatives.

That apart, the exhibition reflects on the context of the history of the asylum, covering topics ranging from movements such as reform psychiatry, to eugenics and society’s handling of mental illness. It uses a wide variety of media and presentation forms in order to allow knowledge to be passed on in an inclusive and accessible way. Participative elements, interactive archives and multi-sensory experiences are key to giving visitors a lasting feel for the complexity of the topic.

Educational program: Raise awareness, encourage interaction

The educational program at the new place of remembrance and learning was drawn up in consultation with an inclusion committee and various focus groups incorporating various stakeholders, lobbyists for people with disabilities, and professionals. The exhibitions and program are closely linked and should be evaluated from time to time.

One of the main aims of the project is to raise historical awareness of Nazi medical crimes by using various interactive formats. The site should encourage interaction between people with and without disabilities, offering space to overcome prejudices.

The project aims to address various target groups of people, including relatives of victims, people with disabilities, specialist healthcare professionals, school pupils, students and the general public from the city of Erlangen and the region. The program covers a wide spectrum going beyond specific events under the National Socialist regime and covering aspects such as remembrance, dehumanization of society before and after the National Socialist regime, medical-ethical issues, inclusion, disability studies and biographical research.

All learning formats are designed to allow self-guided learning and exchange and combine various different approaches, including large group work, dialog and remembrance rituals.

Program of events planned to encourage new perspectives

A comprehensive program of events is also planned to make the site a place where remembrance thrives. It includes traditional and interactive tours of the site and through the building, plays and performances on the “living stage”, workshops on relevant topics and subject-specific seminars for students, specialist healthcare professionals and social professions. The location should be integrated into university teaching, with lectures held there and ideas for special exhibitions generated. Last but not least, the program includes events planned for remembrance days and anniversaries and educational trips to other locations connected to the Nazis’ “euthanasia” program.

Benefits of the site: Its central location

The very thing that poses a challenge for designing and shaping the place of remembrance is also its major strength: Its central location reminds people of the atrocities that happened there every time they walk past, with remembrance becoming part of their daily life. It is not only something they think about when actively visiting the place of remembrance or the exhibition, rather it comes to mind while passing by on their way across the campus. Students, passers-by, staff from the research campus, patients and their relatives cross the site every day.

Open remembrance outside and in the basement

Places of remembrance thrive on rituals. The vision is therefore to develop a specific remembrance ritual in Erlangen as well. The plans should not only extend to designing the site, but also consider how visitors are likely to act. Where would be a good location for commemorative plaques? Where can individuals find a space for personal acts of remembrance? Where can factual information be provided, where is a good location for having a picnic, for playing music, or for resting a moment in silence? All these questions have to be considered.

Quotes from politicians and members of the University on the presentation of the feasibility study on January 9, 2025

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Christoph Safferling
Phone: + 49 176 62812006
christoph.safferling@fau.de