Gedenkstätte der Deportation
Museum | Bolzano | Trentino-Alto Adige | Italy
The "Memorial of Deportation" in Bolzano commemorates the victims of the Nazi regime who were deported from here to concentration and extermination camps. During World War II, Bolzano was a significant transit point for deportations, especially for Jewish citizens, political prisoners, and members of the Italian resistance.
In 2005, four artworks were inaugurated at three central locations in Bolzano, reminding of the deportations. These works were created by artist Christine Tschager and were selected through a competition. The artworks can be found at the following locations:
Reschenstraße: This is where the former Nazi camp was located, from which many deportees were transported.
Claudia-Augusta-Straße: Many of the deportees worked in forced labor at this location.
Pacinottistraße: A place where deportees were transported to concentration camps beyond the Alps.
These artworks serve as memorials and remind of the tragic events that took place at these locations. They were designed to be both informative and emotionally engaging, to raise awareness of history and keep the memory of the victims alive.
The memorial is part of the project "History and Memory: the Nazi camp in Bolzano", initiated in 1995 by the Department of Culture of the city of Bolzano. The goal of this project is to document the history of the Nazi camp that operated in Bolzano from 1944 to 1945, and to preserve the memory of the victims. The project includes the collection of documents, conducting studies and public initiatives, as well as educational activities for schools and visitors from the local, national, and international community.
A visit to the memorial offers the opportunity to learn more about the history of deportations from Bolzano and to honor the memory of the victims. The artworks and informational materials invite reflection on the past and the importance of remembering for the future.
