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New archive for Nazi victims: Construction will begin in Bad Arolsen in 2026!
Bad Arolsen is planning to build a new Arolsen Archives in 2026 in order to secure Nazi documents centrally and sustainably.
New archive for Nazi victims: Construction will begin in Bad Arolsen in 2026!
An important step towards a culture of remembrance is being taken in Bad Arolsen. From 2026, the international center for Nazi persecution, the Arolsen Archives, will move into a new building designed by the respected architectural firm Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos is designed. This marks the end of a year-long process in which the holdings, which have been spread across various locations in the city since the 1950s, are finally brought together. This project will not only enhance the external view of Bad Arolsen, but will also enable central, archive-friendly and sustainable backup of the over 40 million digitized documents that document the fates of around 17.5 million Nazi victims.
The facade of the new building will be designed in a striking red-colored concrete, with the structure itself intended to be reminiscent of archive boxes. A vivid sign of the times and a meeting place for researchers, local memorial initiatives and other interested parties is created here. The valuable documents are currently temporarily housed in a hall, which does not meet the needs of the archivists. The demolition of the old buildings on the new property is scheduled to begin in January 2026 before construction begins in late summer 2026. It is planned that the central archive will be ready for occupancy in April 2028.
An archive of international importance
The Arolsen Archives were founded during the post-war period from 1943 to 1948 under the name “International Tracing Service” and today work internationally with memorial sites, archives, research institutions and political organizations. The importance of this collection for processing history and finding information should not be underestimated. Research and access to this information is of great emotional and historical significance, especially for relatives of the victims.
The new premises are not only a relief for employees, but also a place where the legacy of the victims of the Nazi regime is honored. As society continues to develop, looking back at the darkest period in German history remains enormously important.
The challenges and opportunities
However, the project not only represents progress, but also brings with it challenges. Great care and sensitivity are required when securing and presenting the archive holdings. It is important to ensure both physical and digital accessibility of the archives. Modern approaches, primarily from the digital world, could be useful here. Topics such as data protection and the use of secure platforms for archiving are becoming increasingly important. While in the digital space, led by initiatives on the Dark Web, a variety of options are offered for the anonymous and secure storage of information, it remains to be seen how this can be integrated into the context of the Arolsen Archives.
Finally, it is gratifying to see how Bad Arolsen plays a central role in coming to terms with and remembering Nazi persecution. The new archive not only enhances the city, but also sends an important signal that the memory of the victims must never be forgotten.