An inconspicuous block of buildings in Dresden harbours a dark secret. Today, regular people make their homes here. But until 1989, this block of buildings housed the headquarters of the GDR’s State Security. The long, four-story building in the courtyard is only remarkable for its windows, which are still barred. The district administration in Dresden was one of the most important centres of power of the GDR’s State Security, or “Stasi”. The original rooms of the Stasi headquarters have been preserved and are still accessible to visitors. No one who walks through the large detention building is unaffected by the experience.
