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Düppel Center:
The Jewish DP Camp in Berlin-Schlachtensee
History of the Displaced Persons Camp
The Search for its Presence
and Questions of Memorialization
4. The Search
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. The Idea
4. The Search
5. Questions of Memorialization
8. The Authors
Preparations
Our search for remnants of this camp, of which supposedly nothing was left, began with the help of Prof. Grossmann. To her knowledge only one book exists with specific reference to Schlachtensee. This book is Angelika Königseder's book, which we have used for the previous chapter (historical background). We ultimately found a copy of this book at the Center for the Research of Anti-Semitism at the Technical University of Berlin (Zentrum für Antisemitismusforschung an der Technischen Universität Berlin).
Amongst other books that we have consulted we found Königseder's book to be the best source of information. In this book we have found one mention referring to an actual address. We corroborated this address with Prof. Grossmann, who confirmed that, to her knowledge, this building was part of the DP camp. Unfortunately, it is unknown to which purpose it was used.
We then set out to find what seems to be the last standing building formerly used in this DP camp.
How to get there
The exact address of the house is Potsdamer Chaussee 87 in the Berlin disctrict of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, which you will find on the left-bottom part of any Berlin map. Here is an small map of the region we have prepared for you:
Click on the image for a large scale version
(the map was generated using Google Maps)
The best way to get there is by going with the S-Bahn #1 to the station Mexikoplatz (= Mexico square). From there you go on foot, as depicted below:
Click on the image for a large scale version
(the map was generated using Google Maps)
Alternatively, you can take bus #118 directly from Mexicoplatz in the direction of Steinstücken. Step out of the bus six minutes later in the station Kurstraße, which is directly opposite to house #87. You can also find Kurstraße on your map; it forms a T-junction, at whose head the house stands.
The house today
Today, this is just a normal house, inhabited by normal citizens. We have conversed with some of them, but unfortunately none of them ever heard of the DP camp that was there before. This also applies for elder people, whom we met on the street infront of the house.
In other words: The people living in this house have nothing to do with the DP camp. This house is now private property. Please keep that in mind when visiting the place; be respectful towards its current residents.
On our visit to the house we took some photos of it and its surrounding, which you will find in our photo gallery.
© 2008 Joseph Dana, Yoav Sapir and Sophie Zimmer, all rights reserved
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