Welcome to Villa Merländer

The home of the NS-Dokumentationsstelle der Stadt Krefeld and the Förderverein Villa Merländer e.V.

Since 1991, Villa Merländer has been the official Nazi Documentation Center of the City of Krefeld. Here, the city's Nazi past is not only traced, researched and written down, but made traceable in a special way. It is a collection point for information about Jewish history, the Holocaust in Krefeld, all victims of National Socialist persecution, and at the same time an event space and educational center for pupils, students and interested people from Krefeld and the surrounding area. In addition, Villa Merländer is a contact point for people from Krefeld who are searching for their own history. Since its foundation, the Förderverein Villa Merländer e.V. has been an indispensable support for the documentation center. The association helps with events, supports the educational work to a high degree financially and is instrumental in carrying out the well-known project of the Stolpersteine für Krefeld (Stumbling Stones for Krefeld).

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What is Villa Merländer?
And for whom is it there?

As the NS documentation center of the city of Krefeld and home of the Villa Merländer Association, the Villa Merländer has different tasks and equally diverse target groups. In a little less than 12 minutes, you will learn more about the history, tasks, target groups and the importance of the Villa Merländer's function here in pictures and sound, and at the same time get to know some of the people who work here. Have fun!

The house of the silk manufacturer Richard Merländer

Villa Merländer not only collects Krefeld's Jewish history, but is also based in a house steeped in history: Richard Merländer was a silk manufacturer and silk wholesaler in Krefeld. He was persecuted, disenfranchised and murdered by the National Socialists for being Jewish. Today, the villa is home to the NS Documentation Center of the City of Krefeld. 

Educational work at the NS Documentation Center in Krefeld

As a Nazi documentation center in Krefeld, Villa Merländer is a contact point for school classes, for students and for interested citizens from the surrounding area. Our permanent exhibition offers the opportunity to learn about the history of National Socialism in Krefeld, it shows tragic family stories in the Holocaust and provides information about the persecution of the Jews. For pupils and students we offer different guided tours and workshops. We maintain cooperations with various Krefeld schools and are also a contact point for educational work with adults. Thanks to the support of the Förderverein , a freelance team can be hired to help us with the so important work in the schools, thus creating additional capacity for educational work.

The murals of the painter Heinrich Campendonk in the Villa Merländer

Two large wall paintings by the painter Heinrich Campendonk in the Villa Merländer were rediscovered under old wallpaper in the villa in 1989. They were uncovered and restored and have been on display here ever since. The two paintings are the last remaining Campendonk works in the house, commissioned by Richard Merländer. 

We look forward to meeting you!

Do you have any questions about Villa Merländer, offers or dates? Do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. We will get back to you! 

Villa Merländer e.V.

Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse 42
47799 Krefeld
Opening hours:
Wednesday 9 to 14 h
every 4th Sunday of the month 2 to 5 pm
By appointment