Berlin Unveils Bold Plan to Confront Its Colonial Legacy Through Memory Sites

Berlin will soon have a central site dedicated to learning and remembrance about colonialism. The city's new concept, titled Remembering Colonialism, was officially presented to Senator for Culture Sarah Wedl-Wilson this week. It outlines plans for both a main location and a network of smaller memorial spaces across the city.

The proposed central site could be built at one of three possible locations: Moltke Bridge, Kreuzberg, or Treptower Park. Among these, the Museum Treptow in Treptow-Köpenick has already been named as a concrete option. It will host the first permanent exhibition, zurückgeschaut | looking back, focusing on the 1896 First German Colonial Exhibition held in Treptower Park. This project is being developed in partnership with Dekoloniale Erinnerungskultur in der Stadt (Decolonial Memory Culture in the City).

The wider concept also includes a 'decentralised landscape of memory'. This will mark key colonial historical sites throughout Berlin's urban space. Permanent structures, such as monuments and educational installations, will be created to honour victims of colonial genocide. The plan further stresses the need for deeper scientific research into colonial history and racism, with ongoing cooperation between academic institutions, local communities, and civil society groups.

Despite these ambitions, no extra funding has been set aside for the project in the 2026/27 budget. The Senate Administration for Culture has, however, allocated 150,000 euros annually for existing colonialism-related initiatives.

The Remembering Colonialism concept now rests with the Senate, which will decide on its next steps. If approved, the central site and decentralised memorials will become part of Berlin's official remembrance culture. The city aims to expand public knowledge of its colonial past through education, research, and permanent installations.