Nach-ge-graben
The excavation campaign “1933-1945 Nachgegraben”
West Berlin, 5 May 1985: Around 60 people – old, young, children – meet on the barren grounds abutting the Berlin Wall to participate in a “remembrance action”. This is where the headquarters of the Secret State Police, the SS and the Reich Security Main Office had stood during the Nazi era. On this Sunday morning, shovels and spades have been provided. The activists start digging.
How did this excavation campaign come about in May 1985? Who were the participants and why was this site so important to them? What did they want to achieve with this action?
The online exhibition offers several ways to approach these questions. Drawing on historical photographs, visitors can explore the biographies and motivations of the people involved, as well as the urban surroundings where the action took place. The exhibition also sheds light on the history of the site and its memory-cultural contexts.
A historical film excerpt shows what the grounds looked like at the time — today the location of the “Topography of Terror” Documentation Center. In a video interview recorded in 2025, participants stand on the historic site and reflect on the action and its lasting impact.
gehe zu AktionWhat can I find where on the site?
In the Action section you will find a selection of photos from the action. If you click on the marked people and objects , you will find information about some of the people involved at the time and the urban environment.
The Context section shows information on the historical context of the excavation.
In the Area section you will find information on landmarks in the urban environment.
The Timeline section outlines the history of the location.
The Catalogue contains a wide selection of photographs from the excavation campaign and a collection of documents relating to the campaign.
In About you will find information on the creation of this exhibition.
These areas can be accessed from anywhere via the menu.