Krefeld's Villa Merländer Reopens with Immersive Nazi-Era Exhibition Redesign
A newly redesigned exhibition on the Nazi era has opened at Villa Merländer in Krefeld. Located at 42 Friedrich-Ebert-Straße, it invites visitors to explore six key historical themes through interactive digital displays and tactile elements. The project, developed with €50,000 in funding, aims to make history accessible to all citizens. The exhibition covers the villa’s own past, the Shoah, the persecution of homosexuals, the suppression of 'degenerate art', and forced labour in Krefeld. Digital screens present historical photographs alongside personal stories of those affected. Visitors can navigate the content easily, with optional plain-language texts and audio guides available via headphones.
Wooden crates filled with postcards offer a physical contrast to the digital displays. This tactile element encourages engagement while reinforcing the exhibition’s themes. Dr. Katharine Leiska, Krefeld’s cultural commissioner, called it 'a living exhibition'—one that can evolve with new material over time. Sandra Franz, director of the NS Documentation Center, stressed the importance of visitor participation. Sybilleühne-Franken of the Villa Merländer Association added that teachers can now access educational resources directly in classrooms using mobile devices. The redesign was led by Robert Muschalla and Franziska Penski, with support from public institutions and private donors. The exhibition runs daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., extending to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Weekend hours are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with adjusted times approaching the summer holidays.
The updated exhibition combines digital innovation with hands-on learning. Its flexible design allows for future updates, ensuring relevance for schools and the public. Organisers hope the interactive approach will deepen understanding of Krefeld’s history during the Nazi era.
